"True Unification, I Will Take the Role"… Taeyoungho Announces Candidacy for General Election as Korean Party Candidate

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Tae Yong-ho, former North Korean ambassador to the UK, will run as a candidate for the Seoul constituency under the Liberty Korea Party banner in the upcoming April general election. On the morning of the 11th, he held a press conference at the National Assembly and declared his candidacy, stating, "The issue of inter-Korean unification should not be the exclusive domain of any particular political faction," and "I dare to take on a role for true integration."

Regarding his reason for running, Tae said, "I thought about what I could do for the people of the Republic of Korea who warmly welcomed me and my family, and for the North Korean residents who endure day by day under difficult circumstances," adding, "Based on my understanding, experience, and predictive ability regarding the North Korean system and regime, I want to contribute even a small part to help Korean society take one step closer toward unification."

He criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's North Korea and unification policies, saying, "Unfortunately, they are heading in the wrong direction, which causes great frustration," and emphasized, "The issue of inter-Korean unification cannot and should not be the exclusive domain of any particular regime or political faction." He continued, "One of the most surprising observations I have made in Korea is that the dichotomous view that the progressive forces are the leaders of unification and the conservative forces are anti-unification dominates our society."

Tae stated, "If we remain trapped in internal conflicts fueled by conflicting views on unification and mutual hatred, as we have until now, we will never escape the fate of a divided nation," and explained, "My decision to run as a Liberty Korea Party candidate in the April election is precisely to contribute my small strength to help Korean society, which is constantly divided and conflicted by such dichotomous thinking, take one step closer toward unification."

He expressed his conviction, saying, "Unification does not simply come from fighting each other. Nor does it come from unconditionally accepting only one side's opinion," and added, "True unification can be achieved through a process of getting to know, understanding, and cooperating with each other. I dare to take on that role."

Tae emphasized, "Based on experience and expertise, I will ensure that the South Korean government's unification policy is not an unconditional handout or a confrontational stance but a realistic unification policy grounded in the free democratic basic order, a true unification policy that anyone can empathize with." He added, "I want to demonstrate that even a newcomer to the Republic of Korea who has just crossed over from the North in search of freedom can proudly fulfill that role as a member of the National Assembly, a constitutional institution, and thereby reaffirm what kind of country Korea is."

Tae announced his intention to run as a constituency candidate in this general election. He explained, "If I am elected as a member of the National Assembly, especially as a constituency representative, North Korean elites who play a central role in maintaining the North Korean system and regime, my former colleagues who serve as North Korean diplomats around the world, and especially the good-hearted North Korean residents yearning for freedom will all gain not just hope but certainty."

He said, "I believe that the moment North Korean residents and elites confirm that someone like Tae Yong-ho, who spent his life as a North Korean diplomat, can serve as a member of the National Assembly, a constitutional institution of the Republic of Korea, and as a directly elected local representative, true unification that we desire will come one step closer." He added, "I want to show North Korean residents the system of true liberal democracy and how representative democracy is proven," emphasizing, "I wanted to be judged by the choice and distrust of the local constituents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.