Geum Tae-seop: "Democratic Party's Arrogance of Division Is the Biggest Problem"
Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the plenary meeting of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 21st of last month, explaining the proposed bill. Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who announced his intention to leave the party, calling him "a migratory politician who only chases personal gain and position."
On the 21st, Kim posted on his Facebook, saying, "It is so unexpected. There is no political event or interest, yet it is so sudden and without justification."
Kim pointed out, "It was strange from the start when he oddly criticized Representative Kim Yong-min's civil lawsuit against Professor Jin Joong-kwon. Looking back now, it seems he was trying to find a reason to quarrel with the party, keeping his departure in mind. He advocates for strengthening communication and discussion within the party, but I don't understand why he does not make efforts to share thoughts and build solidarity with party members. There is no effort to discuss with fellow politicians, lawmakers, and many party members or to listen carefully to opposing opinions."
He continued, "He only gives interviews to conservative media, posts on Facebook, and unilaterally voices his claims, showing little respect for others in his actions. He always displays an arrogant attitude that only his claims are correct," strongly criticizing him.
He added, "Just as his beliefs and thoughts are precious, he needs to respect others' opinions as well. Then, instead of leaving the party, he should engage in discussions, persuade, seek understanding, and gather comrades who can share thoughts within the party. Isn't that politics? To put it simply, his current attitude is a childish and selfish one."
Kim said, "I hope he reflects on who is truly arrogant," and speculated on Geum's reason for leaving the party: "I think he is in a hurry to leave quickly and join the People Power Party to prepare for next year's Seoul mayoral by-election or a local by-election, believing it will be difficult to serve as a lawmaker again under the Democratic Party, so he wants to secure a position in another party as soon as possible."
He added, "No matter the reason, it is not a choice based on political conviction or belief but the behavior of a migratory politician chasing position and gain. Now that he feels he cannot stay here, he makes various excuses and leaves the party he belonged to. He leaves with a spiteful heart, spitting on the well he cannot drink from so that others cannot drink either," he added.
Meanwhile, former lawmaker Geum announced his departure earlier that morning.
In a post titled "Leaving the Democratic Party" on his Facebook that day, Geum stated, "I have reached a point where I can no longer approve or agree with the direction the party is heading," and explained his reason for leaving as submitting his resignation with sincerity and heartfelt protest.
He continued, "It has been five months since I was disciplined for not following the party line and filed for a retrial. It has been two months since the party leadership changed, and although several ethics committee meetings have been held, the party has made no decisions and is avoiding responsibility," he claimed.
He further pointed out, "'Ignoring the disciplinary retrial' is not the only reason for leaving. The biggest problem is the arrogant attitude that divides the people through factionalism, labels those with different opinions as criminals or pro-Japanese collaborators, and intimidates them. There is an appearance of 'double standards' that is endlessly lenient to our side but harsh to the opposition, and the shameless reversal of previous claims without any explanation or clarification," he criticized.
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