Im Jong-seok: "Fandom Politics Are Anti-Democratic... Many Politicians Even Sell Their Souls"

"Does Not Allow Diverse Interpretations or Criticism... Extreme Exclusivity"
"Politicians Even Sell Their Souls to Gain Favor with Fandom Groups"
"Looking Forward to a Democratic Regime Change Together with the People"

Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President, said that 'fandom politics' has become the enemy of democracy.

On the 12th, Im posted on his social media (SNS) with the phrase, "Democracy attacking democracy." He argued, "Fandom politics, disguised as direct democracy, is destroying democracy," adding, "Regardless of conservative or progressive, fandom politics has become a very dangerous enemy of democracy because it does not allow diversity and criticism, which are fundamental to democracy."

Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

He continued, "Once a fandom is formed, it reveals characteristics similar to a religious group. It demonizes competing opponents and parties, forbids diverse interpretations and criticism within, and sometimes emits extreme exclusivity," explaining, "In the worst cases, as shown by President Yoon Suk-yeol and the People Power Party now, it tries to completely doubt and destroy the institutions and frameworks of democracy that we have built over a long time." He added, "If there is no self-purification effort to reduce these harms, we will all become victims without exception," emphasizing, "Supporters cannot be blamed. The problem lies in the dignity and philosophy of political leaders."

Furthermore, Im said, "Reports that President Yoon told People Power Party lawmakers to 'watch YouTube more instead of newspapers or broadcasts' until his arrest day suggest a lot. The temptation of populism and negativity is fatal," stressing, "We are witnessing how many politicians are even selling their souls to gain the favor of fandom groups. We must take this as a lesson." He added, "The people are still right there and have not gone anywhere," and said, "Only when politicians step out of the fandom territory and cultivate themselves with tolerance, inclusion, restraint, and patience will they finally meet the people. I look forward to a democratic regime change together with the people."

Recently, Im has been critical of the Democratic Party and its leader Lee Jae-myung. On the 3rd, referring to the results of the 20th presidential election, he said, "The opponent put forward a young leader in his 30s and made desperate efforts including last-minute unification, but I am not sure if we were equally desperate," criticizing, "Without an official evaluation of the presidential election, Lee Jae-myung immediately ran for Incheon Gyeyang. He shifted political responsibility for the defeat onto the Moon Jae-in administration and is still blaming the Moon administration." He also argued, "Even now, we must start with an objective evaluation and reflection on the last presidential election," and stated, "Only by fully accepting that candidate Lee was lacking and the party’s strategy was absent will the path to victory become visible."