Geum Tae-seop: "Opposition Coalition Excluding Extreme Forces... Good-Natured Competition with Ahn Cheol-soo"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who declared his candidacy for Seoul mayor, stated that all opposition forces should unite except for extremist groups. He appears to have proposed a unification of the broad opposition, including the People Power Party and the People’s Party, excluding groups like the Taegeukgi faction. He also said he would engage in a fair competition with Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People’s Party, who has also declared his candidacy.

On the 23rd, Geum appeared on KBS Radio’s "Kim Kyung-rae’s Strongest Current Affairs" and said, "I don’t think everyone will unite just because they are anti-Moon. It’s not about including those with truly extreme views," explaining his stance.

He added, "This time, all opposition forces must come together. There are many excellent members in the People Power Party, as well as many dynamic first-term lawmakers, and as the main opposition party, they are indeed at the center of the facts. So, everyone should unite and take on the role of checks and balances, which is the most important thing in this election." This indicates that cooperation with the People Power Party is possible.

However, he drew a line at joining the People Power Party to participate in the primary. Geum said, "Whenever unification is mentioned, the media and everyone focus on 'how will it be done?' and 'who will benefit?'" This only ends up looking like Geum Tae-seop and Ahn Cheol-soo joining the People Power Party. It is more important to postpone such discussions and first deliberate on how to proceed."

Regarding Ahn Cheol-soo, he said, "I agree that the ruling power must be checked, and that this election should be a victory for the people and citizens. I intend to engage in a fair competition."

Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who left the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending and giving a lecture at the People Power Party's freshman lawmakers' meeting 'Myeongbyulheojeon' held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 18th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Regarding his motivation for running, Geum said, "Small business owners and young people who find it extremely difficult to find jobs are worried about how they will get through this winter. But what we have done over the past year is the conflict between the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General, and the most important thing pushed forward was the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). I thought deeply about whether that is really so important at this moment, and what we should focus on to overcome this crisis in our society."

On the issue of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, he criticized, "The president could step in and say, 'Although I appointed the Prosecutor General, I am ultimately responsible for state affairs, so I’m sorry but we need a new person,' and move on. But this issue has been dragged on for a whole year. Important matters like overcoming COVID-19 and real estate issues have been pushed aside, and when someone voices a different opinion, they are silenced with 'Why are you attacking the government? The president is doing well.'"

Having left the Democratic Party due to opposition to the CIO, he said, "In this election, the Democratic Party needs to be disciplined once and lose so that a proper voice can emerge. When laws like the three lease laws were pushed through, no other voices were allowed, and now it has reached a point where internal change is very difficult."

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