Kim Jong-min "Democratic Party Must Draw the Line on Violence... Keep Distance from YouTube and Communities"

Kim Jong-min, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, called on the party leadership to step up and investigate the reality of violent verbal abuse and attacks by overzealous supporters targeting young politicians, stating, "The Democratic Party must clearly draw the line against violence."

On the 22nd, Kim said through his social media (SNS), "Suppressing critical opinions through violence within the party and the party neglecting this is something unimaginable for the Democratic Party during the Kim Dae-jung and Roh Moo-hyun presidential eras."

Kim Jong-min, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea./Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He previously pointed out that young politicians and university student committee heads within the Democratic Party who voiced harsh criticism regarding the party’s envelope money scandal and cryptocurrency allegations have been continuously subjected to excessive attacks by overzealous supporters. Kim said, "From right after the press conference until now, these individuals, especially the young university student committee heads, have been subjected to excessive hostility and attacks," expressing concern that "they are being attacked with false slanders and fake news, obscene verbal abuse, doxxing, colorism, threats, and lawsuits."

Kim stated, "It is good to strongly assert one’s opinion. It is also good to criticize differing opinions. However, engaging in collective verbal violence, hostility, hatred, and trying to bring others down with insults and threats simply because their opinions differ is clear political violence," adding, "This cannot be disguised as political participation by enthusiastic party members."

He emphasized the importance of distancing from certain YouTube channels and online communities that incite violence. Kim said, "It is time to stop these violent behaviors, and the Democratic Party must distance itself from some YouTube channels and communities that encourage such violence," criticizing, "This political violence has no connection whatsoever to the values the Democratic Party has upheld or the history it has walked. It is merely a wrongful act."

He added, "The Democratic Party leadership must take responsible action. They need to investigate the reality of the political violence directed at the university student committee and put a stop to it," warning, "The public sentiment on the ground is not what it used to be. If the voices of the youth are ignored, the Democratic Party will have no future."