"3040 Muji... Disabled When Older" United Party's Kim Dae-ho Appeals 'Expulsion'... Could It Hinder the Party?

United Future Party Expels Gwanak-gap Candidate Kim Dae-ho for '3040 Ignorance' Remark
Kim Jong-in: "Cannot Overlook Twice"

Future United Party candidate Kim Dae-ho of Gwanak-gap, who was expelled by the party's Ethics Committee over controversial remarks deemed as 'generation disparagement,' is explaining the intent of his statements at a press conference held on the 8th in front of the Future United Party office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Kim Dae-ho, a candidate from the United Future Party who ran in Seoul Gwanak-gu Gap and sparked controversy with so-called '3040 ignorance' remarks and other offensive comments, was expelled from the party on the 8th. According to the Public Official Election Act, if a candidate is expelled from the party, their candidate registration becomes invalid, resulting in the loss of candidacy.

Kim Dae-ho has currently expressed his intention to request a retrial. As such, with Kim, who caused the controversy, showing behavior that does not separate from the party by applying for a retrial, concerns have been raised that this might negatively affect the United Future Party just eight days before the general election.

The United Future Party Central Ethics Committee (Ethics Committee) held a full meeting around 8 a.m. that day and announced that it had made a final decision to expel Kim as a disciplinary measure.

The Ethics Committee explained the reason for the disciplinary action as "engaging in extremely harmful behavior to the party through inappropriate remarks during the election period."

Earlier, on the 6th, at the United Future Party Seoul Regional Election Countermeasures Committee meeting, Kim said, "People in their 60s and 70s know well how Korea achieved development under very harsh conditions, but those in their 30s and 40s seem not to know that well," adding, "They were born into a country that is somewhat livable, so their standards seem to be like those of Europe or the United States."

After receiving a warning from the party and apologizing, he sparked another controversy on the 7th by saying, "First of all, people with disabilities are usually classified into grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. As people age, everyone becomes disabled."

As the controversy grew, Kim explained in a post on his Facebook, "It was a statement of respect for the elderly, not disparagement." However, Kim Jong-in, the United Future Party’s General Election Countermeasures Committee Chair, reportedly said about Kim’s remarks that day, "One time can be forgiven, but twice cannot be overlooked."

Candidate of the United Future Party running in Gwanak-gap, Seoul for the April 15 general election. Photo by Yonhap News Agency capture

Currently, Kim has announced that he plans to file a retrial request within 10 days in response to the expulsion decision. He held a press conference in front of the central party office that day and said, "I understand, but I think this is a severely unfair measure. I will file a retrial request and, if necessary, may also file an injunction."

He continued, "Legally, I can complete the race, and I intend to do so. I am still candidate number 2 of the United Future Party. Isn’t the United Future Party a party with principles and procedures?" raising his voice.

He urged, "If a severe punishment that is far from fairness is imposed, I am concerned that the United Future Party’s support rate will not rebound but rather fall. I hope the Ethics Committee and the Supreme Council will reconsider this decision once again."

Regarding his controversial remarks, he appealed, "I said that as people age, they all become disabled or generally have disabilities, so the intention was to create facilities that such people can use comfortably. It is a malicious distortion and editing by the media, and even so, it is utterly unfair that the party leadership interpreted it as a disparaging remark about the elderly."

He emphasized, "I will continue campaigning. I will work very hard. I believe I will receive a lot of support and encouragement because many people think this decision is unfair."