"Resigned" Geum Tae-seop Resumes Activities After 3 Weeks... "Seoul Mayoral By-election Is an Important Election"

Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop is giving a guest lecture at the "Anyone Can Participate Academy" led by Jo Jeong-hoon, the leader of the Transition Party, in Mapo-gu on the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, made his first official appearance through a lecture hosted by the progressive party Sidae Jeonhwan. While calling the Seoul mayoral by-election an "important election," he refrained from commenting on the possibility of his candidacy.

On the 14th, former lawmaker Geum gave a private lecture titled "Anyone Can Participate Academy," led by Sidae Jeonhwan representative Jo Jeong-hoon, in Mapo-gu, Seoul.

The lecture, held for pre-registered students in their 20s and 30s, lasted about an hour under the theme "Why Do I Engage in Politics?" It was reported that the event was arranged after Geum accepted Jo's request.

This was Geum's first external activity about three weeks after leaving the Democratic Party of Korea on the 21st of last month.

On the day, Geum said, "In the past, politicians could easily answer why they engage in politics, but as society has become more complex, it has become difficult to summarize the direction in one sentence," adding, "It is hard to suggest one method that covers various issues such as polarization resolution and jobs."

He also spoke about his experience in the 20th National Assembly, his impressions of running in the 2012 presidential election with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People's Party, and his evaluations of political parties including the Democratic Party and People Power Party.

Sidae Jeonhwan representative Jo said, "In the private lecture, former lawmaker Geum emphasized that next April's by-election is an 'important election,'" adding, "However, he did not mention the possibility of his own candidacy."

After the lecture, Geum told reporters, "I spoke honestly about my experiences," and hinted at continued political activities through lectures by saying, "Sidae Jeonhwan has many good ideas, so there will be frequent opportunities to meet and talk in the future."

Former lawmaker Geum is scheduled to give a lecture titled "Know-how of a Winning Opposition Party" at the rookie lawmakers' meeting "Myeongbulheojeon Bosuda," led by People Power Party lawmaker Heo Eun-ah, on the 18th.

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