[Comprehensive] "Cheolsu hyung is lonely" Geum Tae-seop leaves the Democratic Party... Ruling party's cold response

With "A Foretold Event," "Go to Ahn Cheol-soo"

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han and Juhee Kang] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop announced his intention to leave the party on the morning of the 21st, while the Democratic Party has shown a cold response. Geum has previously expressed his honest opinions on internal party decisions and major issues.

Lee Nak-yeon, leader of the Democratic Party, said to reporters after the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "I regret that he has left for now," adding, "We will sincerely accept (Geum's) advice."

Heo Young, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at a meeting with reporters that Geum's departure "may not have much significance since it is a departure as a private individual."

Fellow party member Jung Cheong-rae wrote on his Facebook that day, "It was an anticipated event anyway," and evaluated, "Although regrettable, it is a good thing both for him and for the Democratic Party."

He added, "Since he plans to continue in politics, I recommend going to the People’s Party rather than the People Power Party," saying, "Considering the next general election, the People Power Party might be more attractive, but Cheolsu hyung (Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party), who once shared the same table, is lonely. This is the time to support him." Geum was previously classified as part of the 'Ahn Cheol-soo faction' after joining the Democratic Party with Ahn.

Lawmaker Kim Yong-min said, "I hope he will always be with us in the progressive camp through continuous practice to advance our society," and added, "I look forward to meeting again in the direction we aspire to."

Former lawmaker Choi Min-hee pointed out, "I do not know whether (Geum) left the party in communication with opposition figures. It would be problematic to ignore the feelings of the residents of Gangseo-gu who elected him as a Democratic Party lawmaker," expressing concern about the possibility of him joining opposition parties such as the People Power Party.

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop. / Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Geum announced his departure from the Democratic Party through his Facebook on the same day. This came about five months after he was disciplined and filed for a retrial for abstaining from voting in line with the party’s stance on the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO).

Geum criticized, "The Democratic Party has changed so much that it is hard to find the previous flexibility, humility, and culture of communication," adding, "It is unimaginable in the Democratic Party led by Kim Dae-jung or Roh Moo-hyun to not hesitate to file criminal complaints and civil lawsuits against the people."

He continued, "I have made considerable efforts to speak out despite political disadvantages and personally unbearable criticism, but I have reached a point where I can no longer approve or agree with the direction the party is heading," criticizing, "There is a 'double standard' that is endlessly lenient to our side and harsh to the opposition, and a shameless 'flip-flopping' behavior that changes previous claims without any explanation or clarification."

He concluded his statement by saying, "I sincerely hope the Democratic Party can regain its former free atmosphere and vitality and return to a good party where common sense and reason breathe."

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