Taegumin "Are High-Ranking North Korean Defectors Supposed to Just Shut Up and Live Quietly?"

On the 16th, Tae Gumin (Tae Youngho), a candidate from the United Future Party running in Gangnam-gap, Seoul, is shedding tears after his victory was confirmed at the Gangnam-gu election office. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Park Hee-eun] Tae Gumin, a former North Korean diplomat and elected member of the Future United Party, strongly criticized Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-gi, a former senior official of the National Intelligence Service, who said to him, "Do not cause confusion with baseless remarks and actions."

On the 29th, Tae posted on his Facebook, "Should defected North Korean politicians keep silent?"

He stated, "Various reports and claims about Kim Jong-un's whereabouts are emerging," adding, "In such a situation, it is important for us to listen to various claims and analyses about the current situation in North Korea and prepare for the rapidly changing Korean Peninsula and the surrounding international circumstances."

Furthermore, Tae said, "A fellow lawmaker attacked me using excessive expressions such as calling me a spy, employing propaganda tactics that stir emotions, and demanding a complete cut of the budget for the North Korea intelligence parts of the National Intelligence Service, Ministry of Unification, and military-police," expressing, "I cannot hide my deep concern."

In particular, Tae strongly criticized, "The expression from (lawmaker Kim Byung-gi) telling me to be more humble and cautious in words and actions, not forgetting that I devoted myself to our enemy until a few years ago, even sounds like a threat."

He continued, "Such claims are attacks against the numerous defectors who found freedom and live new lives in the Republic of Korea, and an insult to the residents of Gangnam who chose me to send to the National Assembly," emphasizing this point.

Then Tae questioned, "Are high-ranking defectors supposed to keep silent unconditionally?" and "Are the current core North Korean elites supposed to never resist the Kim regime and live in eternal submission?"

Regarding lawmaker Kim's remarks, Tae expressed regret, saying, "The reality of receiving personal attacks worse than those from the Kim Jong-un regime from a fellow politician," and "I do not know if this is the freedom and democracy I know."

He added, "If the mouths of defected North Korean politicians are shut to block free expression of opinions on North Korean issues, this is clearly an anti-democratic and dangerous idea," and "I will continue to firmly reveal the essence of the North Korean regime within my knowledge and provide accurate analysis and forecasts to help the South Korean government pursue the right policy toward North Korea."

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