"Who is the next XX?" Park Yong-jin, Cho Eung-cheon, Geum Tae-seop consecutively targeted as 'Pro-Moon' and 'Moon fans'

Park Yong-jin, Chu Mi-ae Apologize for 'Son Allegations'
Jo Eung-cheon: "Reveal Everything and Conclude Quickly"
Geum Tae-seop to Hwang Hee, Who Disclosed Whistleblower's Real Name: "Are You Sane?"
'Pro-Moon', 'Moonppa' Lawmakers Targeted on SNS with Harsh Daily Protests
"Go to People Power Party", "XX-ya", "Are You a Democratic Party X-Man?"

Park Yong-jin, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Please just join the People Power Party," "Are you a Democratic Party X-man?" "Please get a grip!"

Recently, ruling party figures who have expressed their honest opinions regarding the preferential treatment allegations during Minister Choo Mi-ae's son's military service have been fiercely criticized by the 'Pro-Moon' (친문) faction and 'Moonbats' (a term mocking those who blindly support President Moon Jae-in). The politicians enduring daily verbal abuse are former lawmakers Park Yong-jin, Cho Eung-cheon, and Geum Tae-seop.

Some critics argue that this situation demands a totalitarian mindset that blindly enforces party positions while disregarding politicians' convictions. Those facing harsh protests daily have yet to issue any significant response or statement.

◆ Park Yong-jin: "I feel sorry about the allegations themselves"

On the 16th, Park Yong-jin, a Democratic Party lawmaker, said in a CBS radio interview regarding the preferential treatment allegations during Minister Choo's son's military service, "Education and military service are matters of national interest and a sensitive issue for the people," adding, "(The party) keeps looking at this only as 'illegal or not,' but as a fellow lawmaker and someone who has served in the military, I feel sorry to the public about the allegations themselves."

Regarding the controversy over applying for leave by phone, he said, "I think cases of extending leave by phone are not common," and "Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also expressed embarrassment over this issue as a controversy involving a cabinet member."

However, Park said, "If the People Power Party wants to talk about illegal controversies, they should present clear evidence or circumstances. It was frustrating to watch them focus only on Minister Choo Mi-ae throughout the government questioning without evidence," adding, "If an unfair case is confirmed, it would be better to call for institutional improvements."

Rep. Cho Eung-cheon of the Democratic Party of Korea (front) and Kim Sang-jo, Chief of Policy Office at the Blue House, are entering the conference room to attend a party-government meeting on real estate held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeouido, Seoul, in the afternoon of July 7. [Image source=Yonhap News]

◆ Cho Eung-cheon: "The right answer is to reveal everything as it is and conclude quickly"

Earlier, on the 14th, Cho Eung-cheon, from the same party, said in a Shindonga interview, "The issue that started with whether the leave was properly processed has now expanded to allegations including requests for assignment to a specific unit as an interpreter," emphasizing, "Various testimonies and evidence are coming out, so the right answer is to reveal everything as it is and conclude quickly."

In another media interview, Cho criticized Minister Choo, saying, "Recently, seeing her respond in the National Assembly, not only the content but also her attitude was very uncomfortable," and added, "It seems she has a kind of self-assurance and confirmation bias."

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop Photo by Yonhap News

◆ Geum Tae-seop: "How long has it been since we vowed to uphold the spirit of the candlelight protests..."

Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop has been criticized for his harsh words toward Democratic Party lawmaker Hwang Hee, who called the party staff soldier who first raised the preferential treatment allegations a 'lone offender.' On the 12th, Geum pointed out Hwang, saying, "Regardless of party affiliation, ruling or opposition, progressive or conservative, a lawmaker is a representative of the people. For any reason, one should not criticize the people they represent. That is tantamount to denying the very existence of a lawmaker."

He continued, "To call a 20-something youth, who is one of the people, a 'lone offender' just because they claim something unfavorable to the Minister of Justice (even if the claim is false) ? are you sane? Are you calling the people criminals?" He criticized, "How long has it been since we vowed to uphold the spirit of the candlelight protests? Listening to lawmakers rushing to make remarks here and there recently, I can't believe my eyes and ears. I feel unbearably frustrated all day long."

Park Yong-jin, Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker [Photo by Yonhap News]

◆ "Leave the Democratic Party and join the People Power Party"

The problem is the harsh protests directed at these lawmakers. There are concerns that such protests could suppress lawmakers' honest opinions and legislative activities. Choi Jang-jip, an emeritus professor of political science and diplomacy at Korea University, criticized those who repeatedly protest, saying they can dominate public opinion and restrict the media.

On the morning of the 18th, Park's latest Facebook post had over 50 comments, mostly criticizing his remarks. One netizen protested harshly, saying, "Lawmaker Park Yong-jin, first get a grip and reflect on yourself before criticizing others! You throw curses at fellow politicians and lawmakers who are being subjected to people's trials without verifying facts, then act all high and mighty and try to run away. Reflect on your immature character first!"

Another netizen also criticized, "If the Democratic Party cannot protect Minister Choo Mi-ae, then leave the party. If you ignore the truth and betray the party, you are betraying the party members and the people who support you!"

The situation is similar for other lawmakers. Although Geum Tae-seop's remarks were made on the 12th, criticism of his comments continues even today (the 18th).

Such harsh protests from staunch supporters are seen by some as potentially harmful to democracy.

Professor Choi Jang-jip wrote in a paper titled "Rethinking Korean Democracy" published in late June in the Seoul National University Korean Politics Research Institute's journal 'Korean Politics Research,' "The rise of the Moon Jae-in government after the candlelight protests was expected to mark a turning point for Korean democracy entering a new phase, but now Korean democracy is in crisis," adding, "This crisis stems from the political failure of the elite group from the student activist generation and the so-called 'bba' faction allied with them."

He analyzed, "The phenomenon of 'bba,' who passionately follow a specific politician, is a political movement centered on strong cohesion and aggressiveness," explaining, "A virtually organized majority leads public opinion through internet social media, attacking dissenting opinions and criticism, effectively restricting freedom of the press."

He further stated, "They have more influence than party leaders and mobilize groups during candidate selection and election processes, exerting influence," and criticized, "As a result, they play a negative role in party politics and election processes."

Professor Choi also raised criticism about the moral hypocrisy of the activist faction. He said, "Even if progressive politicians advocating reform claim to be moral reformers themselves, in reality, they fail to approach the high moral standards and norms they set," and pointed out, "The student activist generation, which emerged as a new political class, has become the problem itself rather than the solution."