Kim Geunsik to Jeong Cheong-rae's "Don't misuse 'Gukminuihim'": "Is a civic group an absolute power?"

"Democratic Party's tantrum over name clash with Minju Gonghwadang is exactly the same"

Kim Geun-sik, professor at Gyeongnam University and chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong district committee of the United Future Party / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Ju-hyung] Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, raised suspicions that the new party name of the United Future Party, 'Gukminui Him' (People Power), plagiarized the name of a civic group and urged them not to use it. In response, Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University criticized, saying, "Are you even sprinkling chili powder on the party name that the opposition party is trying to change for innovation?"

Kim, who serves as the head of the United Future Party's Songpa-byeong district committee in Seoul, wrote on his Facebook on the 31st, "Jeong claims that because the name is the same as the civic group he was part of, the new party name of the United Future Party is not allowed. I've heard that the election commission prohibits the use of party names similar to existing ones, but are they saying not to use it just because it overlaps with many civic group names?"

He continued, "Is the civic group an absolute authority, or is the word 'Gukmin' (People) owned by the civic group?" and pointed out, "This is exactly like the Democratic Party throwing a tantrum saying not to use the name because it overlaps with Park Chung-hee's Democratic Republican Party from the past."

He added, "They said that since they are the successors of the impeached party, they should not use the name 'Gukmin' (People), but aren't they trying not to repeat the mistakes of impeachment by changing their party platform, changing the party name, and distancing themselves from the far right?" and questioned, "Is the impeached party not even allowed to make new efforts?"

Meanwhile, Jeong said on his Facebook the same day, "The civic group 'Gukminui Him' (People Power) is a civic group launched in 2003 by me and many members. I was the first co-representative of the group," and expressed, "I deeply regret and feel uncomfortable that our civic group, formed 17 years ago, is being mentioned as the new party name of the United Future Party."

He further criticized, "It is a comedy that the impeached faction uses 'Gukminui Him' (People Power) as their party name," and said, "You do not have the right to use this name."

He urged, "I cannot just stand by and watch the name of the civic group I loved being defiled," and called on, "The United Future Party should no longer be a burden to the people and immediately stop the plagiarism."

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