[Summary] "It Was the People, Not the Democratic Party, Who Cried Out to Defend Cho Kuk," Kim Nam-guk... Opposition Says "Speak Properly"

Kim Nam-guk "Democratic Party Distanced Itself from Jo Guk to Avoid Loss"
Opposition Criticizes, "Is Jo Guk Like Jesus Carrying the Cross?"

Kim Nam-guk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 14th, Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed that regarding the so-called 'Cho Kuk incident' being cited as the cause of the crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections, "At that time, the Democratic Party was not shouting to protect Cho Kuk. We were socially distancing ourselves cautiously." In response, the opposition criticized sharply, saying things like "Even if your mouth is crooked, speak correctly."

On the same day, Kim appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "The Democratic Party was socially distancing itself for fear of losing. At that time, the public was shouting 'Protect Cho Kuk,' and prosecutorial reform was about to be derailed and fail, but it was ordinary citizens who revived the dying flame of prosecutorial reform."

He continued, "Therefore, I think the Democratic Party actually owes a great debt to the people regarding the protection of Cho Kuk and prosecutorial reform," but added, "However, I find it difficult to consider that issue as a major cause of this election defeat. Ultimately, the core of this election loss was the issue of livelihood and making a living."

He also said, "The core of this election defeat was the failure to control real estate prices. Also, due to COVID-19, self-employed small business owners are struggling and appealing for help, but despite being the ruling party, our economic measures related to people's livelihood were insufficient, which was a national reproach."

Then Kim emphasized, "If the cause of the by-election defeat is discussed inappropriately as the protection of Cho Kuk or prosecutorial reform, the public may think 'They are talking nonsense about completely unrelated matters,' so a proper diagnosis of the problem is truly necessary."

Kim Nam-guk, member of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In response, the opposition continued with sharp criticism. Kim Geun-sik, head of the Vision Strategy Office of the People Power Party, wrote on his Facebook on the same day, "The last general election was not an evaluation of the Cho Kuk incident, but the evaluation of the Cho Kuk incident was 'postponed' because of COVID-19. Even if your mouth is crooked, please speak correctly," he said sharply.

He added, "Is 'Cho Kuk' really Jesus carrying the cross, and is 'prosecutorial reform' the inviolable Ten Commandments?" He pointed out, "It looks like a mutual collusion with hardline party members who criticize the reflection letters of first-term lawmakers and the apology statements of 2030 lawmakers as 'traitors.'"

He also said, "Even after suffering overwhelming defeats in Seoul and Busan, the Democratic Party's hardcore Moon Jae-in supporters (called 'Daeggae-moon') have not come to their senses. They are like the far-right Taegeukgi forces who did not come to their senses even after the 2016 impeachment."

Kim then pointed out, "Just as the Uri Party self-destructed due to the reckless radicalism of the 'Tandoli' lawmakers in 2004, the Democratic Party will also enter the path of self-destruction because of the 'Kodoli' (elected thanks to COVID-19) and 'Jodoli' (elected thanks to the Cho Kuk protection group) lawmakers in 2020." 'Tandoli' refers to the first-term lawmakers of the Uri Party who entered the National Assembly in large numbers riding the wave of opposition to the impeachment of the late President Roh Moo-hyun in the 2004 general election.

Meanwhile, Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council member of the United Future Party (predecessor of the People Power Party), shared an article related to Kim on his Facebook and pointed out, "What I clearly remember is that a citizen who hosted the Cho Kuk protection rally was made a member of the National Assembly. Who was it again?"

Kim participated as an advisory lawyer for the 'National Movement Headquarters for Fierce Fight' (Gaegukbon) during the 2019 'Cho Kuk incident,' leading rallies in Seocho-dong, Seoul, and co-authored the 'Cho Kuk White Paper' defending former Minister Cho.