[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Kang Seon-woo, a former professor at South Dakota State University and a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who applied for an additional nomination in Seoul Gangseo-gap, also joined the criticism against Assemblyman Geum Tae-seop.
On the 21st, Kang wrote on his Facebook, "As a party member, Assemblyman Geum displayed inappropriate behavior." He pointed out that Assemblyman Geum abstained from voting at the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Unit (PCC) vote, going against the party's stance.
Kang said, "When the party's will is decided, following it is the attitude of a party member and the basic principle of an organization member." He added, "However, Assemblyman Geum did not accept the 'decision' and did not apologize for his inappropriate attitude and choices as a party member. The wounded party members now feel ignored as well."
Regarding Assemblyman Geum's remark about Lawyer Kim's candidacy in Gangseo-gap, stating, "This general election cannot be fought as a pro-Jo Guk candidacy," Kang countered, "Assemblyman Geum's main message was not about 'a fair competition with a young political newcomer,' but 'Jo Guk versus anti-Jo Guk.' Wasn't his abstention a way to maintain vested interests within unchecked power and to settle for the status quo that needs to be eradicated in this era?"
He continued, "This April 15 general election is a crucial election for the fate of the Republic of Korea. We must unite more firmly and must win. There is no time to be trapped in the nonexistent frame Assemblyman Geum mentioned," he criticized.
He also added, "To face the fake conservative opposition party, which is a remnant of the impeachment forces, we must strengthen our identity and unite as party members. But to my recollection, Assemblyman Geum rarely made as harsh criticisms of the various suspicions and misconducts of conservative opposition lawmakers as he did internally."
Kang, a former professor at South Dakota State University, was number 29 on the Democratic Party's proportional representation list in the 20th general election in 2016. He served as a deputy spokesperson for the Democratic Party and recently appeared as a panelist on TV current affairs discussion programs.
In his previous statement on running for Gangseo-gap, he said, "(Within the party) various opinions should be expressed and differences should coexist. It is the basic attitude of an organization member to make efforts to persuade and bridge the gaps created by diversity and differences," which was interpreted as a remark conscious of the 'Jo Guk war' surrounding the Gangseo-gap nomination.
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