Ahn Jong-bum Publishes Essay Collection 'Analog Prison Life'… "Contains What Becomes Visible Only When You Stop"

Former Cheong Wa Dae Senior Secretary for Policy Coordination Ahn Jong-bum has published an essay collection titled 'Analog Prison Life'.

The book compiles 54 pieces written during a total of 1,791 days across two separate incarcerations, starting from his arrest in November 2016 in connection with the so-called 'state affairs scandal' under the Park Geun-hye administration until his full release in September 2021.

Former Senior Secretary Ahn was released upon the expiration of his detention period in March 2019, but was incarcerated again in February 2020.

The essay collection captures his daily life spent in the detention center, memories recalled there, and thoughts on the outside world viewed from within.

In the introduction of the book, the author writes, "On November 3, 2016, I stopped without warning. It was not a voluntary stop, but a period of forced suspension. There, for the first time in my life, I lived through a time of 'stopping,'" adding, "This book is a record of stopping. It is neither an explanation of the case nor a political statement. It contains what becomes visible only when you stop."

An economist, former Senior Secretary Ahn served as a professor at Sungkyunkwan University before entering the National Assembly as a proportional representation lawmaker for the Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) in the 19th general election in 2012. That same year, he worked in the presidential campaign camp of candidate Park Geun-hye, overseeing the formulation of economic and welfare policies and pledges.

He was appointed as the Senior Secretary to the President for Economic Affairs under the Park Geun-hye administration in 2014 and later served as the Senior Secretary for Policy Coordination before serving a four-year prison term after being implicated in the 2016 state affairs scandal.

He currently serves as the head of the Policy Evaluation Research Institute (PERI), engaging in activities such as developing policy platforms.

(Photo provided by former Senior Secretary Ahn Jong-bum, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.