Geum Tae-seop "Democratic Party Has Lost Its Former Flexibility and Humility"
Abstained from Voting on the Corruption Investigation Office Bill in December Last Year
Received a 'Warning' Disciplinary Action from the Party Ethics Committee
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] On the 21st, former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who announced his intention to leave the Democratic Party of Korea, was encouraged by former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon, who said, "You made a good choice."
On the same day, former professor Jin wrote on his Facebook, "It was an unavoidable choice. Anyway, it doesn't seem like that party will change," expressing his support.
Earlier, when former lawmaker Geum was disciplined for abstaining from the vote on the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office (HOCI) bill in December last year, contrary to the party's stance, former professor Jin strongly criticized the ruling party, saying, "This so-called 'democratic centralism' is the only decision-making system known by the Democratic Party's activist faction," and "It is natural for them to punish lawmakers who voice opinions different from the party."
Former lawmaker Geum also recently mentioned former professor Jin on his Facebook.
Previously, former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Yong-min filed a defamation lawsuit against former professor Jin on the 7th, claiming that Jin referred to him as a 'Jo Guk follower.' Regarding this, former lawmaker Geum said, "During the conservative regime, many people fought hard to protect freedom of expression, but after the impeachment and regime change, now a Democratic Party lawmaker is filing a damage claim lawsuit for defamation," adding, "I really don't know what to say. Does he still think of himself as progressive?"
Meanwhile, former lawmaker Geum posted a message titled "Leaving the Democratic Party" on his Facebook on the morning of the same day, announcing his intention to leave the party.
In the post, Geum stated, "It has been five months since I was disciplined for not following the party line on the HOCI bill and filed for a retrial," and "It has been two months since the party leadership changed, and although several ethics committee meetings have been held, the Democratic Party has made no decisions and is avoiding responsibility."
He continued, "There was no rational discussion, and no reasons were given for the delay in decision-making," and "I have not seen any sincere analysis or consideration of the future impact of the party's judgment. Under these circumstances, I think it is better for me to leave," explaining his reasons for leaving.
He also pointed out, "'Ignoring the disciplinary retrial' is not the only reason for leaving," and criticized, "The Democratic Party has changed so much that it is hard to find the flexibility, humility, and culture of communication it once had."
Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is attending the party Ethics Committee rehearing held at the Yeouido party headquarters on the afternoon of June 29. / Photo by Yonhap News
Former lawmaker Geum gained attention during the 20th National Assembly for his so-called 'principled remarks' that disregarded the party line.
In September last year, at the confirmation hearing of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk, he pointed out, "Candidate Cho has had different standards when dealing with our side and the other side on social media, which can be a major flaw for a Minister of Justice who must uphold fairness."
Regarding the HOCI establishment bill, he also expressed opposition, saying, "Since granting prosecution rights to an organization separate from the prosecution is unprecedented, more discussion is needed," and questioned, "Are there any institutions in the world where high-ranking officials above a certain level have both prosecution and investigation rights?"
After abstaining from the vote on the HOCI bill at the National Assembly plenary session in December last year, former lawmaker Geum faced fierce criticism from some Democratic Party members. Some party members submitted a petition for his expulsion in February, accusing him of violating the party line.
In response to the criticism, the Democratic Party Ethics Tribunal held a meeting in May and issued the lowest level of disciplinary action, a 'warning,' against former lawmaker Geum based on Article 14 of Party Regulation No. 7, citing 'violation of party line.' Additionally, former lawmaker Geum was eliminated in the nomination primary for Seoul Gangseo-gap, his constituency, during the April 15 general election.
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