Park Yong-jin: "Geum Tae-seop, No Gift Tax Issues... Criticism of the Democratic Party Is Inappropriate"

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

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] On the 23rd, Park Yongjin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, commented on the controversy surrounding the property transfer by the son of former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who recently left the Democratic Party, saying, "If he paid all the gift taxes as he explained, then there is no problem."

Park appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that day and stated, "The Democratic Party does not hate or dislike the wealthy. There is no problem with those who have fulfilled their social obligations such as inheritance tax and gift tax passing on their assets," emphasizing this point.

However, regarding former lawmaker Geum attending a lecture as a speaker at a meeting of first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party and criticizing the Democratic Party, Park said, "Anyone who criticizes the Democratic Party should have their criticism taken seriously, but isn't it a bit too soon?" He added, "Even if he left the party with bad feelings, it does not seem appropriate to speak so easily about the party he was a part of."

He continued, "The ink on his resignation letter is not even dry yet. It seems a bit early for him to already be considering running for Seoul mayor or other positions," and said, "He was a politician I was close to and liked, but this is also part of the competition between political camps. If he runs as a competing candidate, he becomes someone to criticize and compete against."

Regarding his hint at running in the next presidential election, Park said, "I believe that those who recognize the tasks and necessary changes in Korea will bring about a generational change," and "Instead of telling the 86 generation (those born in the 60s and who entered university in the 80s) to step down, it is time for capable and prepared young politicians who can fully replace them to show courage."

He added, "There is a 'Park Yongjin effect,'" and said, "By not hiding my intentions, those preparing for the presidency, local elections, or by-elections have become more active and seem to be advancing their political schedules. It seems a flow of change within the party is being created."

Regarding criticisms of 'right-wing shift' due to his attendance at a Chosun Ilbo event and paying respects at the late General Baek Seon-yeop's funeral, Park explained, "Politics is won by teams with inclusiveness," and said, "Park Yongjin comes from a progressive background and the Democratic Party is originally left-leaning, but it cannot stay only on the left. Football requires using the entire field, and politics is won by teams with inclusiveness."

He further emphasized, "President Kim Dae-jung already paid respects to Presidents Rhee Syngman and Park Chung-hee in 1992, and President Roh Moo-hyun's proposal for a grand coalition was the same," adding, "This is the inclusiveness and expansiveness that the Democratic Party has consistently shown in the past, which has allowed it to create governments and bring about necessary changes in Korea."