"Seoul Mayor? Where Are You Coming Out?" Geum Tae-seop Targeted Again by 'Munppa'

People Power Party's Geum Tae-seop Hints at Running for 'Seoul Mayor' in Lecture
Some Democratic Party Supporters Including 'Munppa' Mark and Fiercely Criticize "Where Are You Running?"

Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a lecture at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 18th at the 'Myeongbulheojeon' meeting of first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Where do you crawl out from?", "In the end, it's the People Power Party", "Stay quiet"

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop was once again 'targeted' by 'Moonbba' (a derogatory term for people who blindly support President Moon Jae-in). The trigger was part of his speech at the People Power Party's freshman lawmakers' meeting 'Myungbulheojeon Conservative' on the 18th, where he said, "Currently, the Democratic Party is unable to break free from arrogance, pride, stubbornness, and obsession. Although I have left the party, I cannot raise my head when I think about the current reality."

In his lecture that day, former lawmaker Geum criticized the government and ruling party for not taking related measures regarding Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, who have been in conflict over prosecutorial reform. He also said that President Moon Jae-in remains silent, which led to fierce criticism from 'Moonbba'.

Geum said, "The Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General clash daily, causing public anxiety, but the ruling party neither tries to resolve the issue nor mediates; instead, they take sides and scold. The President also does not show responsible behavior and only remains silent. Whenever I hear the question, 'What is happening in politics?' I have no answer."

Photo by Geum Tae-seop, former Democratic Party of Korea, Facebook capture

Photo by Geum Tae-seop, former Democratic Party of Korea, Facebook capture

Regarding this series of remarks by former lawmaker Geum, 'Moonbba' have been strongly criticizing him through comments on his Facebook account.

One netizen said, "Having tasted power and wealth thoroughly, only betrayal and greed remain. Is there any citizen who would entrust you with the capital Seoul? I see you falling into the abyss... You are pathetic and miserable for acting like this."

Another netizen criticized, "You are a person who entered politics without identity. A political opportunist who attaches himself here and there depending on convenience. Lengthy excuses only make you look more pitiful. It's really unfortunate. If you're not a fool, this is clearly a visible act...".

Netizens protesting against Democratic Party lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who abstained from voting on the Corruption Investigation Office bill last December. Photo by Geum Tae-seop

Former lawmaker Geum, who is receiving 'collective criticism' from 'Moonbba', had previously faced strong protests.

On December 30 last year, regarding the establishment bill for the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Agency (HOCI), Geum abstained from voting during the National Assembly plenary session.

This led to harsh criticism among pro-Moon (친문) supporters, with comments like "Traitor, go to the People Power Party" and "Why is Geum Tae-seop still in the Democratic Party?".

Geum was disciplined with a 'warning' by the party's Ethics Committee for abstaining. He later requested a disciplinary review, but the Democratic Party took no action until he left the party.

Earlier, in September last year, Geum had also voiced criticism during the confirmation hearing of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk, particularly regarding allegations of his children's admission irregularities.

Former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk [Image source=Yonhap News]

At that time, Geum publicly questioned, "Do you have no sincere intention to apologize for the inconsistency between your words and actions so far, and for deeply wounding young people's rightful anger with irrelevant answers?"

He also said, "Although there are many considerations such as the reality of confrontation between camps and political gains and losses, even if I weigh all those factors on one side of the scale, my heart inevitably leans toward the side where young people’s wounds lie."

Later, Geum lost in the Democratic Party's primary for the April 15 general election in March and ultimately did not receive the party's nomination. His defeat was recorded as the first case where a freshman incumbent lawmaker lost to an outsider in the party's primary.

Since Geum maintained a critical stance on the HOCI bill and former Minister Cho, some interpreted his loss as a kind of judgment from 'Moonbba'. It was seen as an exclusion by pro-Moon supporters who could not accommodate diverse views within the party.

Progressive senior scholar and Korea University Professor Emeritus Choi Jang-jip also strongly criticized in an interview with JoongAng Ilbo, saying, "If the principle of decision-making becomes indiscriminately the rule of the majority, it is nothing more than majority dictatorship."

Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, is giving a lecture at the 'Myeongbulheojeon' meeting of first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 18th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Geum hinted at his intention to run as an opposition candidate in the Seoul mayoral election scheduled for April 7 next year. In his lecture at the People Power Party's freshman meeting on the 18th, he said about the possibility of running for Seoul mayor, "I am seriously considering it with a sense of responsibility," and "If there is a task to be handled, I will handle it."

He added, "There are various ways to cooperate and compete ahead of the election," and "When deciding on the method and approach, I will speak sufficiently and make all concessions," expressing his willingness to form alliances.

Geum said, "Simply creating a party and changing the signboard will not make a difference. It will become chaotic due to power struggles, and existing supporters may leave. All forces seeking alliance must change and innovate themselves. I want to call this a multiplicative alliance."

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