[Comprehensive] Kim Yong-min "As of today, I am no longer a member of 'Naggomsu'... Joo Jin-woo, respond sincerely"

"Don't Embarrass Your Supporters" Kim Yong-min Targets Joo Jin-woo
"The Reason NaGomSu Was Loved, Reporter Joo Is Denying Himself"

Photo by YouTube channel 'Kim Yongmin TV' screen capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Kim Yongmin, one of the hosts of the podcast 'Naneun Ggomsuda' (I Am a Petty Cunning), stated on the 22nd, "From today onward, I refuse to be called one of the four members of 'Naneun Ggomsuda' or Nakkomsu." 'Nakkomsu' is a podcast (internet radio broadcast) conducted from 2011 to 2012 by broadcaster Kim Yongmin, Kim Eo-jun, journalist Joo Jin-woo, and former Democratic United Party (predecessor of the Democratic Party of Korea) lawmaker Chung Bong-ju.

On the same day, Kim uploaded a video titled "I am no longer a member of Nakkomsu" on his YouTube channel 'Kim Yongmin TV.'

In the video, he said, "Being a part of Nakkomsu for over ten years was truly a great gift and honor," adding, "There were times of suffering because I was a Nakkomsu member. But that suffering was merely a path that had to be taken to approach the great love you all gave me."

He continued, "Nakkomsu took the path of awakened citizens who asked questions without fearing past powers," and said, "Nakkomsu could ask questions to anyone. Despite any surveillance or external pressure, we asked questions and posed reasonable doubts without fearing anyone's reaction. Of course, they did not answer. They only tried to appease, threaten, or pretend not to know and dismiss."

Kim expressed, "I stand here today with a heavy heart after ten years," referring to another Nakkomsu member, journalist Joo. He pointed out, "Not long ago, I publicly asked questions to journalist Joo, a member of Nakkomsu. However, Joo posted a disheartening video that ended with a phrase like 'Pick up the phone,' as if soothing a sulking younger sibling, completely unrelated to answering the questions, and now he has even deleted that video."

Kim added, "Recently, (Joo) posted a broadcast saying he had a close meal with Kim Eo-jun and Chung Bong-ju, that the relationships among Nakkomsu members remain strong, and that attempts to divide Nakkomsu do not work. He also brought up Nakkomsu's past glory, implying that 'Nakkomsu is great, so no one can criticize Nakkomsu,'" calling it "a truly shameful scene."

He stated, "Unless journalist Joo sincerely answers the questions I raised, which are also questions from many citizens, or continues to evade them, I am not a Nakkomsu member," and added, "That cannot be Nakkomsu."

Kim said, "I am still curious why Minister of Justice Choo Mi-ae, and journalist Joo, who is just a reporter, interfered saying it was wrong that Yoon Seok-yeol was disadvantaged," and claimed, "Instead of answering the questions, Joo avoided and dismissed them in the same way as the past powers Nakkomsu criticized so much." He added, "Joo is denying the very reason Nakkomsu was loved."

Podcast radio 'Naneun Kkomsuda' (Nakkomsu) member reporter Joo Jin-woo.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim also asked journalist Joo again about his 'relationship with the prosecution.' He said, "I am curious about what kind of relationship Joo has with Yoon Seok-yeol's prosecution," and "I wonder why Joo exerted pressure regarding a senior reporter's investigation related to Yoon Seok-yeol."

Finally, he addressed journalist Joo, saying, "If you think that a cheap phrase like 'I support prosecution reform,' which even Yoon Seok-yeol said, and pretending to criticize the nuclear power plant investigation just because the critical voices are growing, can be used to evade these questions, then you are demanding religious faith, not support, from your supporters," and urged, "Stop embarrassing your supporters. Do not insult their boundless support and love."

Earlier, on the 26th of last month, journalist Joo expressed a critical view of Minister Choo on KBS Radio's 'Joo Jin-woo Live,' saying, "Participatory Solidarity, progressive groups, and even the Justice Party say, 'Isn't Minister Choo going too far?'"

In response, Kim, who had been with Nakkomsu since 2011, posted a critical message toward journalist Joo. On the 2nd, Kim wrote on his Facebook, "For me, who once considered A like family and vowed to fight with everything against any attempt to disadvantage him, a very harsh time of decision seems to be approaching."

He continued, "I was seriously betrayed by A, and even now, just thinking about it makes me furious." Although Kim did not mention journalist Joo by name, netizens speculate that A is indeed journalist Joo based on the circumstances. Subsequently, in pro-government communities and others, criticism arose saying, "Journalist Joo is a pro-prosecution reporter, a pro-Yoon Seok-yeol reporter."

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