Former Korean history instructor Jeon Han-gil (real name Jeon Yu-gwan) claimed that after participating in a rally against President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment, he was called "trash" by his "closest friend." Regarding this, the friend mentioned by Jeon said, "If you do not reflect, I will never see you again."
Kim Ho-chang, the head of Upstudy, stated on his social media (SNS) on the 24th that while he thinks friends can have different political views, he could not tolerate seeing Jeon attend the rally against President Yoon's impeachment held in Gwangju.
Kim noted, "When Han-gil was criticized by many for defending President Yoon, I only said to him, 'Don’t be upset, take care of your health.' I don't call a friend trash just because our political views differ."
"Going to those who have lost siblings and parents and saying 'Martial law is enlightenment' is a very cruel mockery," he said, adding, "I told him, 'Don’t go to Gwangju; your support for martial law there is no different from the Ilbe user who delivered jjajangmyeon in front of parents who lost their children during the Sewol Ferry tragedy while they were on a hunger strike. If you go, you are truly trash.'" Kim explained that he wrote a letter with this content to Jeon and also posted it on his SNS.
In response, Jeon called Kim and asked him to remove the post on SNS, saying he had said something he could not bear to say to a friend, Kim recalled. Kim added, "I will not disclose what he said. It’s likely something he will regret ten years from now," and noted that he replied, "Let’s cut ties, you trash."
Kim stated, "A friend is someone who tells you when you are going down the wrong path," and emphasized, "The reason I called Jeon Han-gil 'trash' is not because of our differing political views, but because he continues to act like trash, and as a friend, it is something I must say."
Regarding Jeon, he emphasized, "The harshest thing I've said to you is 'Don't come to my funeral.' If you do not reflect, you will not see me even in the afterlife."
It was also reported that Jeon said he would not enter politics before the 'Dec. 3 martial law' incident. During their meeting before the martial law, when he mentioned that he almost participated in a candidate's campaign during the general election, Jeon responded, "Good job. Let's not even go near party politics from now on," according to Kim.
Earlier, on the 23rd, Jeon attended a rally titled 'Citizens' Total Mobilization Against the President's Impeachment' held at Antioch Church in Seo-gu, Gwangju, where he said, "Since I started politics, I've become enemies with my friends," adding, "My closest friend calls me trash, and we no longer keep in touch."