Opposition Parties Reach Out to Keum Taesup After Departure from Democratic Party: "We May Work Together" "You Have Our Support"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Kim Hyemin] After former lawmaker Keum Taesup announced his intention to leave the Democratic Party of Korea, the conservative opposition parties immediately extended invitations to him.

Kim Chongin, Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the People Power Party, spoke with reporters after a meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of October 21 and commented on the possibility of recruiting Keum. He said, "Regardless of his departure from the party, I have met him from time to time," adding, "I am considering meeting him once more."

Lawmakers within the party also expressed their support for Keum's decision to leave the Democratic Party and conveyed their willingness to work with him. Representative Park Sooyoung wrote on Facebook, "Who would want to remain in a party where a lawmaker's convictions are disregarded and only subject to disciplinary action?" He added, "It is regrettable that our politics may lose yet another one of the few truly principled individuals."

Park continued, "I sincerely hope you do not leave politics entirely and will make a comeback. Perhaps there will soon be a day when we work together, so until then, please stay healthy..."

Representative Cho Sujin also wrote on her Facebook page, "Although there are still reasonable and admirable acquaintances within the Democratic Party, they cannot speak out about their concerns. That is why I support former lawmaker Keum." Representative Kim Woong shared Keum's Facebook post titled 'Leaving the Democratic Party' on his own Facebook page.

Former lawmaker Keum, a former prosecutor, served as a member of the 20th National Assembly. Since 2016, he held key positions in the Democratic Party, including spokesperson, chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee, and deputy floor leader. However, in December last year, he received a 'warning' disciplinary action from the party after abstaining from voting on the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), contrary to the party's official stance.