Opposition Party's External Figures Aiming for a Comeback... Resuming Activities Through Forums and Cooperatives

Kim Moo-sung Leads 'Mapo Forum'... Active Engagement Expected with Kim Jong-in's Invited Lecture
Opposition Former and Current Young Leaders to Open 'House' This Month

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Opposition figures who failed to enter the National Assembly in the April 15 general election are regrouping and gathering again around the National Assembly. They are actively moving to restart their political activities by establishing bases such as forums and cooperative-style cafes.

The Mapo Forum (Towards a Better World), created under the leadership of former lawmaker Kim Moo-sung immediately after the general election, has recently shown renewed activity. Although it held seven lectures so far, there were internal and external evaluations that its activities had become dormant.

The Mapo Forum began to attract attention again when Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, appeared as a lecturer on the 8th. It is known that this lecture was arranged at the direct request of former lawmaker Kim to Chairman Kim. The Mapo Forum is actively planning activities, coordinating lecture schedules with opposition presidential hopefuls such as Governor Won Hee-ryong of Jeju and lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo.

Opposition current and former lawmakers who claim to be reform conservatives will open a political culture cafe called 'House (how's)' near the National Assembly at the end of this month. It is organized as a cooperative with 12 current lawmakers, former lawmakers, and 150 former local party committee heads. Among the former lawmakers, 15, including former lawmaker Oh Shin-hwan who serves as chairman, and former lawmaker Hong Cheol-ho, are participating. Starting with a founding special lecture by Choi Jang-jip, a representative progressive scholar and professor emeritus at Korea University, the plan is to create a space where political figures can freely hold lectures, meetings, and discussions.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

While the Mapo Forum positions itself as a kind of strategic base for regaining power and House aims to be a space for grassroots politics and expanding the conservative base, various interpretations of their activities are emerging in political circles.

In the case of former lawmaker Kim, who leads the Mapo Forum, there is also talk of him being drafted for the Busan mayoral by-election scheduled for April next year. A political insider said, "Although people talk about a kingmaker, there is no clear candidate yet, and moving too fast with the presidential election in mind is premature," adding, "The immediate movement is likely due to the by-election."

House is expected to be used as a platform for former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min’s faction, as many who worked with him politically have gathered. However, Yoo himself has not joined the cooperative. Yoo plans to open a personal office near the National Assembly around the same time House opens.

Some view the efforts of non-incumbent figures to build factions as a way to raise their political profiles. A political insider said, "While the National Assembly serves as a base camp for incumbents, non-incumbents find it difficult to gain attention unless they continuously create issues. With major elections such as next year’s by-elections and the presidential election two years later approaching, they are moving now to exert their political influence at critical moments."

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