Keum Taesup, Outspoken Former Ruling Party Lawmaker, to Speak at People Power Party Freshman Gathering

Speaker at "Myeongbulheojeon Bosuda" on the 18th
Attention on Future Moves as Ties with the Opposition Expand

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Kim Hyemin] Former Democratic Party lawmaker Keum Taesup will give a lecture to first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party as his first public activity after leaving the party. This move is drawing attention in political circles, as it increases his points of contact with the People Power Party, which has consistently extended invitations to him since his departure.

Keum will attend the "Myeongbulheojeon Bosuda" gathering of first-term People Power Party lawmakers as a speaker on the 18th. This event was arranged after Representative Heo Euna, the secretary of the group, personally invited Keum. In an interview with YTN Radio, Heo explained, "He was someone many People Power Party lawmakers paid attention to, as he was a first-term lawmaker who voiced his opinions loudly as an opposition figure within the ruling party," adding, "We organized this event to hear about strategies for the opposition to become the ruling party, as well as to learn from the Democratic Party’s know-how."

Keum, who served in the 20th National Assembly, left the Democratic Party on October 21. He had clashed with the party leadership since abstaining from voting on the bill to establish the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, led by the Democratic Party, in December last year, defying the party line. As a result, he was disciplined in May, and after requesting a retrial, he ultimately declared his departure when the party leadership failed to reach a decision for over five months.

His resignation, after establishing himself as a leading figure for "speaking his mind" in opposition to the ruling Democratic Party, had a significant impact on the political scene. The timing of his decision, ahead of the Seoul mayoral by-election in April next year, led to various interpretations, including speculation about his candidacy. The People Power Party praised Keum’s decision to leave the Democratic Party and extended repeated invitations to him.

According to a public opinion poll commissioned by Asia Economy and conducted by WinGKorea Consulting on November 1-2 among 1,000 Seoul citizens (100% mobile phone, automated response), 8.4% of respondents said Keum was the most suitable candidate for the Seoul mayoral race among the broader opposition, ranking him third after former Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon (17.6%) and People’s Party leader Ahn Cheolsoo (15.9%).

Prior to this, on the 14th, Keum also expanded his political activities by giving a lecture at the political academy of Transition Korea, led by Representative Cho Junghoon.

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