Geum Tae-seop: "No 'Protecting Joguk' in the General Election"... Targets Kim Nam-guk of the 'Joguk White Paper'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Nahum] On the 18th, Geum Tae-seop, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated, "This general election cannot be fought as a 'Defense of Cho Kuk' election," adding, "I must block it for the sake of our party." He was targeting lawyer Kim Nam-guk, who announced his intention to run in Geum's constituency, Gangseo-gap, Seoul. Kim is regarded as a figure at odds with Geum, who was a writer for the 'Cho Kuk White Paper Promotion Committee' and criticized the party during the 'Cho Kuk incident.'

Before the Democratic Party lawmakers' meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Geum told reporters, "Gangseo-gap must not become like Nowon-gap in the 19th general election," emphasizing this point.

Earlier, the Democratic Party's nomination management committee designated Geum's constituency, Gangseo-gap, as an additional nomination recruitment area. Subsequently, lawyer Kim expressed his intention to run in Gangseo-gap, leading to controversy over whether this was a 'hitman nomination' aimed at excluding Geum from the nomination.

Geum said, "The appointment of former Minister Cho Kuk is already a thing of the past, but holding an election where 'Defense of Cho Kuk' becomes an issue is neither forward-looking nor could it be perceived by voters as an arrogant stance that what we do is absolutely correct."

He continued, "The vast majority of the public thinks that although the Democratic Party has made judgment errors and mistakes, they hope the Moon Jae-in administration succeeds because it has done well," adding, "For that to happen, the Democratic Party must have the ability to self-correct."

He added, "We must conduct the general election with a more humble attitude, acknowledging mistakes and judgment errors, accepting criticism, and being humble."

Regarding former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju's criticism of him as a "Democratic Party lawmaker wearing a red jumper," he said, "It is the path to long-term health for the party to have diverse views and proceed through discussion and consultation."

Meanwhile, lawyer Kim is scheduled to hold a press conference at the National Assembly's Press Hall in the afternoon to declare his candidacy for Gangseo-gap. This has led to analysis that the Gangseo-gap primary will likely be fought under the 'Cho Kuk versus Anti-Cho Kuk' framework.