[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former North Korean Ambassador to the UK, Tae Yong-ho, announced on the 16th that he will run in the upcoming general election under his resident registration name, "Tae Gumin." Regarding concerns that his candidacy might negatively impact inter-Korean relations, he drew a clear line, stating, "It is unreasonable to think it would harm inter-Korean relations."
On the same day, Tae held a press conference at the National Assembly main building in the afternoon, explaining, "I changed my name and even my date of birth to avoid North Korea's terror threats."
Tae explained, "My resident registration name is Tae Gumin. I changed it using the characters for 'save' (구) and 'people' (민) to signify my intention to save my North Korean brothers and sisters. Although I was born on July 25, 1962, my resident registration date of birth is different."
However, the time to disclose his resident registration name due to election law is approaching. He said, "I was informed that the name change process takes three months, so I thought it would be impossible before the general election, and I had no choice but to run under the name Tae Gumin. Even if my personal information is disclosed and personal safety becomes more challenging, I will trust the government and boldly take on this new challenge."
Regarding some criticisms that his candidacy could adversely affect inter-Korean relations, Tae stated, "Based on the values of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea, it is unreasonable to think that my running for election would harm inter-Korean relations or the security environment of South Korea."
The reason he decided to run is to provide an opportunity for his colleagues remaining in North Korea and North Korean residents abroad to understand South Korea's liberal democratic system. Tae said, "Today is Kim Jong-il's birthday in North Korea, and April 15, the general election day, is Kim Il-sung's birthday in North Korea. On Kim Il-sung's birthday, I want to let North Korean residents know that South Korean citizens can choose their members of the National Assembly through free elections."
He added, "Until now, the North Korean leadership has been indifferent to general elections, but this will be an important opportunity for diplomatic colleagues overseas and tens of thousands of North Korean workers abroad to learn about liberal democracy every day. North Korean elites do not know at all how democratic elections are conducted, so it is important for North Korean residents to properly understand this process."
Regarding his candidacy in a local constituency, he said, "If I run in a local constituency in the future, I expect the residents to understand that I have lived under the name Tae Gumin for several years. Until the constituency is decided, I will focus on peace, inter-Korean exchange and cooperation, human rights, and North Korean nuclear issues. Once the constituency is decided, I plan to address the specific issues faced by that constituency." Responding to criticism that he is not familiar with the constituency, he said, "There are already Liberty Korea Party organizations and elected officials in the constituencies, and I will cooperate with them, communicate with residents, and gain their support."
He stated that during the election period, he plans to emphasize three principles: constitution, fairness, and justice. He said, "Values such as fairness, justice, peace, and unification, which some forces monopolized, are not exclusive to a part of our society but precious values shared by all our people. I want to emphasize this through this opportunity." He added, "Once the constituency is decided at the nomination committee, I will detail the constitution and fair competition aspects tailored to the constituency's reality."
Regarding the current government's North Korea policy, he said, "To achieve fair peace, we must strengthen our defense based on the ROK-US alliance, maintain current sanctions on North Korea, increase opportunities for contact with North Korea, and foster mutual understanding and exchange. Believing that North Korea will give up its nuclear weapons if we show goodwill and sincerity is unrealistic; it will only increase North Korea's threat and is unjust."
On the issue of individual tourism, he said, "As in the case of the killing of a South Korean in Mount Kumgang, the life and safety of our citizens must be guaranteed first. The idea of obtaining foreign visas to tour the Korean Peninsula, which is still divided into two countries, is dangerous."
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