Democratic Party Disability Committee Members Resign Together... Hong Seoyoon Joins Future Coalition

Democratic Party Disability Committee Members Mass Resign
Hong Seoyoon "No More Roh Moo-hyun Spirit, Shameful Party"
Jo Eungcheon "Will Do Our Best to Avoid Tears Together"

Former "disabled anchor" Hong Seoyoon, vice chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea's National Disability Committee, along with disabled party members, have jointly left the party. Hong and others criticized that under Lee Jae-myung's leadership, the "spirit of Roh Moo-hyun" has disappeared and disabled party members have been thoroughly marginalized, declaring their intention to join the Future Coalition.

On the 19th, Vice Chairperson Hong Seoyoon held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and announced her departure from the Democratic Party. Vice Chairperson Ko Gwan-cheol, former Vice Chairperson Lee Chun-woo, former Geumcheon District Disability Committee Chair Lee Saet-byeol, and Lim Se-i, director of the Honey Disability Independent Living Center, also left the party together. Hong stated, "Democracy within the party has disappeared, and it has become a shameful party left with only hypocrisy and a hollow shell," adding, "All of us disabled party members want to leave the Democratic Party and move toward the future."

Hong Seo-yoon, Vice Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea's National Disability Committee, and others are holding a press conference on leaving the Democratic Party of Korea at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the morning of the 19th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Recalling President Roh Moo-hyun's remark during the passage of the Disability Discrimination Act in 2007 that "we must unite our efforts to create a society without obstacles to overcome," she criticized, "I decided to enter politics because of President Roh's words, but now the Democratic Party no longer embodies the spirit of Roh Moo-hyun." She continued, "The Democratic Party has reached a state where it ostracizes sensible politicians, bullies new politicians, and fosters divisive politics by wielding nomination rights with only two options for political challengers: hypocrisy or defection."

After announcing her departure, Vice Chairperson Hong told reporters, "The Disability Committee consists of members who have been marginalized within the Democratic Party, and just as society excludes and alienates disabled people, it has often been difficult to have our voices reflected within the party." She added, "(Besides the 10 members announced today) other disabled party members are preparing to leave as well." She also pointed out that although Lee Jae-myung emphasized during his presidential candidacy that he himself is a "level 3 disabled person," since becoming party leader, he has never once held a meeting with the Disability Committee.

Hong Seo-yoon, Vice Chairperson of the Democratic Party of Korea's National Disability Committee, and others are holding a press conference for leaving the Democratic Party of Korea at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the morning of the 19th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Furthermore, she expressed deep feelings of alienation, criticizing the party for not officially mourning the recent passing of the late Jo Yeon-woo, chairperson of the Democratic Party's National Disability Committee. Hong said, "After the obituary, I tried to communicate with the party, but it was not easy. I informed the party leadership, including the secretary-general, but there was no official reaction expressing condolences."

Vice Chairperson Ko Gwan-cheol explained, "The party's perception of disabled party members is so dismal that it is almost tragic," adding, "Recognizing these problems, I thought there was no future and decided to leave." However, he noted that he is still considering whether to join the Future Coalition.

At the press conference, Jo Eung-cheon and Park Won-seok, co-chairpersons of the Future Coalition's founding preparation committee, also participated. Jo Eung-cheon said, "I was told that Vice Chairperson Hong shed tears while drafting the press release," promising, "We will work hard together so that there will be no more tears in the future."

Cho Eung-cheon, Co-Chairman of the Future Great Alliance Joint Founding Preparation Committee, introduced Hong Seo-yoon, Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party's National Disability Committee, who declared her withdrawal from the party, at the National Assembly Communication Hall on the morning of the 19th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, Vice Chairperson Hong was selected as KBS's second disabled anchor in 2013. She served as spokesperson under the "Park Ji-hyun Emergency Committee" system and also worked as the party's youth spokesperson. Additionally, she has served as the representative of the Korea Disabled Tourism Association, a non-executive director of the Disabled Culture and Arts Center, and a non-executive director of the Korea Transportation Safety Authority, focusing on developing policies such as "barrier-free tourism." She also ran as a proportional representation candidate in the 21st general election.