North Korea Calls Gangnam-gu a Den of Corruption Following Taeyoungho's Election Criticism of Gangnam

"Called Special Gangnam-gu in Seoul General Market"
"Wealthy people openly gamble and do drugs"
"Choi Soon-sil also controlled Park Geun-hye here"

On the 16th, Tae Gumin (Tae Young-ho), a candidate from the United Future Party running in Gangnam-gap, Seoul, shed tears while singing the national anthem at the Gangnam-gu campaign office as his victory became certain.

On the 17th, the day after Tae Gumin (Tae Young-ho), a candidate from the United Future Party, was elected in Seoul Gangnam-gap in the 21st National Assembly election held on the 15th, North Korea criticized Gangnam-gu as a den of corruption, drugs, and gambling.

On that day, North Korea's external propaganda media, Meori, published an article titled "Seoul's Gangnam-gu has become a den of corruption," stating, "(Gangnam-gu) is home to many wealthy and privileged people, so it is called 'Seoul Ordinary City Gangnam Special District,'" and claimed, "Various entertainment facilities and brothels, filled with those soaked in corrupt and decadent lifestyles, are openly operating here."

Meori said, "Regarding the fact that the Seoul Gangnam-gu area has become a den of corruption, voices of ridicule, criticism, and concern from all walks of life are rising," adding, "In such places, the wealthy openly gamble or use drugs, and even local police turn a blind eye while watching their backs."

Meori also claimed, "Choi Soon-sil, the main culprit of the 'Park Geun-hye, Choi Soon-sil scandal' that shocked South Korean society four years ago, also lived a dissolute life here while controlling the privileged class and Park Geun-hye."

On the 16th, Tae Gumin (Tae Young-ho), a candidate from the United Future Party running in Gangnam-gap, Seoul, shed tears while singing the national anthem at the Gangnam-gu campaign office as his victory became certain.

The report did not mention the real name of the elected Tae Gumin or refer to the general election. However, considering the timing of the report and the target of criticism (at the local government level), it appears to reflect North Korea's displeasure at Tae's entry into the National Assembly.

Tae, a former North Korean diplomat stationed in the UK, defected to South Korea in August 2016 and has since engaged in lectures and writing activities. This is the first time a North Korean defector has been elected as a constituency member of the National Assembly rather than through proportional representation.

North Korea has harshly criticized Tae whenever there was an opportunity, such as when he defected to South Korea or when he ran in the general election.

On February 26, Meori claimed that the United Future Party's recruitment of Tae was "a despicable scoundrel who committed all sorts of dirty crimes such as embezzlement of state funds and statutory rape of minors in our republic and fled to escape the stern judgment of the law, a trash that cannot be considered human." The authenticity of these claims has not been verified.

However, this also led to accusations by domestic civic groups. The civic group "Candlelight National Assembly Making 4·15 General Election Citizen Network" held a press conference in front of the police station in Migeun-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 25th of last month, accusing Tae Young-ho (Tae Gumin), the United Future Party candidate for National Assembly (Gangnam-gap), of rape.

The accusers argued, "Even if the incident occurred in North Korea, where public authority does not reach, since allegations of sexual crimes have been raised, it is necessary to investigate and uncover the truth."

Meanwhile, Tae expressed his thoughts immediately after his election on the 16th, saying, "The Republic of Korea is my homeland, and Gangnam is my hometown," and "Today’s victory is not my victory but the great victory of our Gangnam residents."

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