[Politics That Day] 'Jogeuk Naejeon' Fallout, Geum Taeseop's Shocking Primary Defeat

2020 Democratic Party Seoul Gangseo-gap Primary Results
Kim Nam-guk's Candidacy Dilemma and Kang Seon-woo's Entry
Geum Tae-seop's District, Key Constituency in the 21st General Election

Editor's Note‘On That Day in Politics’ is a series that looks back on Korean politics through the ‘recollection of memories’ related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

"I will raise the flag of the third zone." Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is preparing to establish a third-zone political party to break the two-party structure ahead of the 22nd general election. This is a pivotal challenge in the political career of Geum Tae-seop, a politician with a background in the legal profession.

Politician Geum Tae-seop's career is closely related mainly to the current Democratic Party of Korea. He ran for and won the Seoul Gangseo-gap district seat in the 20th general election in 2016 as a member of the Democratic Party. He also held key party positions such as the party spokesperson and chair of the strategic planning committee.

Politician Geum Tae-seop has been in politics for about 10 years. He was regarded as a politician who speaks his mind during party activities. He was not hesitant to voice criticism within the party. Opinions about him within the party were divided. While some paid attention to his political stance and attitude, others felt uncomfortable.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is attending a party meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of February 18, 2020, looking at other lawmakers. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Geum Tae-seop's political career was not smooth. The political arena within the party where he could promote his political philosophy was not broad. What was the reason?

In the last general election, politician Geum Tae-seop was preparing to run for the Seoul Gangseo-gap district under the Democratic Party banner. Within the party, the name of a competitor was circulating. A newcomer also emerged to challenge politician Geum Tae-seop.

That name was lawyer Kim Nam-guk. He is now a Democratic Party member of the National Assembly. Although Kim Nam-guk became a member of the National Assembly representing Danwon-gu, Ansan, Gyeonggi Province, he originally prepared to run for Seoul Gangseo-gap.

Why did he target politician Geum Tae-seop? This is related to former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. Politician Geum Tae-seop had different opinions from the party mainstream regarding the allegations surrounding former Minister Cho Kuk's family. There was also a significant difference in views on prosecutorial reform within the party mainstream. Some viewed politician Geum Tae-seop's actions as so-called ‘internal sabotage.’

Lawyer Kim Nam-guk prepared to run for the Seoul Gangseo-gap district, challenging politician Geum Tae-seop. However, there was considerable party opinion that Kim Nam-guk's candidacy could escalate the ‘Cho Kuk internal conflict.’ Eventually, Kim Nam-guk canceled his press conference for the election candidacy and took a breather.

Did politician Geum Tae-seop overcome the hurdle of the nomination competition? Another political newcomer, former professor Kang Seon-woo, was waiting in Gangseo-gap. Comparing Geum Tae-seop's political career and Kang Seon-woo's political experience, it could have been an easy contest.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the primary result between Geum Tae-seop and Kang Seon-woo was the opposite. On March 12, 2020, the Democratic Party announced the nomination results for major constituencies, and in Gangseo-gap, former professor Kang Seon-woo was announced as the primary winner.

Politician Geum Tae-seop's elimination was seen as a turning point for the 21st general election.

There was also an assessment that Geum Tae-seop's primary defeat would negatively affect the centrist public sentiment ahead of the general election. It was analyzed as a setback for the Democratic Party's election strategy. Doubts were raised about whether political newcomer Kang Seon-woo could properly compete in the general election.

Did Geum Tae-seop's nomination defeat actually become an electoral setback? Contrary to the diagnosis that it would reignite the controversy over former Minister Cho Kuk and strengthen the opposition's campaign for regime judgment, the general election ended in a one-sided victory for the Democratic Party.

At that time, in Seoul, the Democratic Party won 41 out of 49 constituencies. It was a landslide victory, literally.

Kang Sun-woo, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

So, what was the result in Gangseo-gap? Democratic Party candidate Kang Seon-woo was elected with 63,397 votes, a 55.9% vote share. Future United Party candidate Koo Sang-chan lost with 43,519 votes, a 38.4% vote share.

The 2020 nomination defeat and subsequent general election results are painful memories for politician Geum Tae-seop. He is now preparing for the 22nd general election in a different arena from the last election. Will politician Geum Tae-seop's dream of forming a third-zone political force centered in the metropolitan area succeed?

Figures, structure, and vision are key variables. Voters always yearn for new politics. Nevertheless, the reason why forming a third-zone political force has been difficult is that it has not shown an image compelling enough to sway voters' hearts.

It is difficult to predict the outcome of politician Geum Tae-seop's challenge. There are about 10 months left until the general election in April next year.

Depending on one's determination, this can be considered a sufficient period, but considering the practical realities of party formation and nomination preparations, it could be tight.