Heo Young Spokesperson "Leaving the Party as a Private Citizen"
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seul-gi] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who was warned for opposing the vote on the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (Hugo), has left the party. On the 21st, Democratic Party spokesperson Heo Young said, "I'm not sure if it holds much significance."
According to Yonhap News on the same day, when Heo met with reporters and was asked, "As a spokesperson, what is your view on former lawmaker Geum's departure from the party?" he replied, "I see it as a departure as a private individual."
Heo also responded to Geum's criticism that "the party has not made a decision for five months after requesting a disciplinary review," saying, "I will check regarding the statement on his departure and then speak."
Earlier, Geum stated that he left the Democratic Party because "the party has changed so much that it is impossible to find the previous flexibility, humility, and culture of communication."
In a post on his Facebook on the same day, Geum said, "Above all else, the biggest problem is the arrogant attitude of dividing the people into factions, pitting them against each other, and bullying those with different opinions by labeling them as criminals or pro-Japanese collaborators."
He added, "It has been five months since I was disciplined for not following the party line on Hugo and requested a review. The Democratic Party has made no decision and is avoiding responsibility. I suspect they are merely calculating how to receive the least criticism and minimize losses. In this situation, I thought it was better for me to leave," reiterating his criticism.
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