[Summary] "Go to the United Future Party and Speak Your Convictions" Geum Tae-seop's Reconsideration Explanation... Democratic Party Supporters 'Furious'

Geum Tae-seop "It's regrettable how the Democratic Party ended up like this"
Some Democratic Party members "No qualification as party members... Go to the United Future Party"

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is attending the party Ethics Committee rehearing held at the Yeouido party headquarters on the afternoon of the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop appeared on the 29th at the party's Ethics Committee retrial to explain the unfairness of his disciplinary action, sparking criticism among Democratic Party supporters. Some argued that the disciplinary reasons were valid, saying things like "Go to the Future United Party and voice your convictions," "If that's your conviction, why are you in the Democratic Party?" and "You're stirring up trouble to become famous."

Former lawmaker Geum, upon attending the party Ethics Committee retrial held at the Yeouido party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, told reporters, "Disciplining a lawmaker for a vote cast according to conscience and conviction is against the spirit of the Constitution," strongly criticizing the action.

He continued, "It is very regrettable how the Democratic Party, which used to pride itself on active debate and a spirit of criticism, has come to this," adding, "(This issue) is not just about whether an individual receives discipline but concerns a truly important and symbolic matter. I will strongly argue the unfairness of the disciplinary action," expressing his thoughts on the party's disciplinary measures.

After about 1 hour and 40 minutes of a closed-door explanation related to the retrial, he told reporters, "I told the Ethics Committee members that disciplining lawmakers for their votes could cause lawmakers to be restrained in speaking on difficult and controversial issues," and added, "Even if discipline can be imposed for voting reasons, since there was insufficient debate on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), I said the discipline was unfair."

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is attending the party Ethics Committee rehearing held at the Yeouido party headquarters on the afternoon of the 29th. Photo by Yonhap News

As this fact became known, some Democratic Party supporters poured criticism on former lawmaker Geum. One supporter emphasized, "Before being a lawmaker, he is a party member, and if he is a party member, he must follow the party line," adding, "If he cannot follow the party line, it is right to leave the party, and if he does not want to be disciplined, he should leave."

Another supporter criticized, "If that's your conviction, why are you in the Democratic Party?" and said, "You should go to the United Party and express your convictions there diligently."

Others continued with remarks such as, "There are Democratic Party lawmakers going to the United Party, so it would be greatly appreciated if you just disappear to that side," "If a party member does not follow the party line, naturally they are unfit as a party member. If you don't like it, leave the party," and "Why does the spirit of criticism not apply to the United Party? Stop thinking about getting nominated again by the Democratic Party and go to your hometown, the United Party."

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Geum abstained from voting on the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) establishment bill in the National Assembly plenary session in December last year. Democratic Party members criticized Geum's abstention as opposing the party line and continued their criticism on the party's rights members' bulletin board.

Party members responded with comments such as, "If you want to follow the Future United Party (then Liberty Korea Party) party line, go there. You will never be nominated," "Don't muddy the waters and go to a party that matches your ideology," and "We cannot understand the behavior that ignores history and the people's demands and even neglects the obligations of affiliation." Subsequently, some rights members submitted a disciplinary request to the party, urging expulsion or removal of former lawmaker Geum.

The party Ethics Committee held a meeting on the 25th of last month and decided to issue a warning to former lawmaker Geum. Geum appealed this decision and requested a retrial on the 2nd. On the day, he also expressed discomfort in a post on his Facebook, saying, "I really did not expect a political party to do something similar to the prosecution." The result of Geum's retrial is expected soon.

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