22nd General Election Democratic Party Proportional Representation Candidate Challenge
"Unreasonable Regime... Cannot Just Stand By"
Comedian Seo Seung-man (60) announced his intention to run as a proportional representative candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea in the April 10 general election.
On the 20th, Seo Seung-man held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and declared, "I debuted as an MBC comedian at the age of 19 and have been doing comedy for over 40 years. Having only known the fields of broadcasting, culture, and arts, I am now trying to enter the path of politics at a late age," announcing his candidacy for the 22nd National Assembly proportional representation election.
Seoseungman is holding a press conference on the 20th at the National Assembly Communication Hall to announce his candidacy as a proportional representation candidate for the 22nd general election of the Democratic Party of Korea. [Photo by Yonhap News]
He said, "Some may suddenly ask, 'What does a comedian have to do with politics?' but as a citizen, I feel fear and urgency in a reality that is more unrealistic than dramas and funnier than comedy. Our lives are on the verge of shipwreck, pushed by the ruthlessness and irrationality of a regime we have never seen before," criticizing the current situation.
He continued, "It is somewhat embarrassing to raise my voice only now. I have tried to eliminate the vertical hierarchy culture in broadcasting stations, and in Daehangno and Jongno, I have worked to guarantee reasonable income for actors and staff. Through cultural content, I have practiced child safety and public safety," he said. Then he added, "I will criticize politicians who suddenly point fingers and say red beans are black beans after everyone agreed they were red beans. I cannot just stand by and watch them."
He said, "I believe that daily life is politics, and the reason politics exists is for ordinary citizens. I believe that guarding against vulgarity and practicing a united community’s proper way of life is the path to good politics." He added, "For those who say, 'Why get into politics when you should just keep doing comedy?' I say once again: change begins with an ordinary person. Please do not ignore the reality that people like me must raise our voices. Have courage and raise your voice with me. I will be a bucket of primer water."
Seo Seung-man entered the entertainment industry as the 2nd public recruit comedian of MBC through the 3rd MBC Gag Contest in 1989. He earned a doctorate in Public Administration from Kookmin University Graduate School and has also worked as an adjunct professor at Kookmin University Graduate School of Comprehensive Arts. He declared support for Lee Jae-myung, then the Democratic Party presidential candidate, in the last presidential election and currently serves as co-representative of the 'The Minjoo National Innovation Council,' an outside pro-Lee organization.
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