[Interview] Geum Tae-seop "We Must Break the Democratic Party's Monopoly... Creating a New Party Is a Political Mission"

"Public Sentiment with No Place to Rely On, Tremendous Instability Factor"

Seoul mayoral candidate Geum Tae-seop. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Park Joon-yi] Former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop, who is running in the Seoul mayoral by-election, stated, "The most important thing is to break the ruling party's dominance caught in factional logic," emphasizing the need for cooperation with the People Power Party. However, he also expressed that ultimately, creating a new political party is his political mission.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 8th, former lawmaker Geum said, "I share a sense of problem awareness with Representative Ahn Cheol-soo about breaking factional logic," adding, "I do not think the People Power Party is our path, but since there is a need to check the ruling party's dominance with its 180 seats, cooperation is necessary." He continued, "Even if there are nine differences in politics, if there is one common point, we can work together."

Having left the Democratic Party, former lawmaker Geum views the party as having a culture that does not allow dissent and demands unconditional obedience. Regarding some criticisms that his consideration of unification with the People Power Party is not a 'third zone,' he said, "Essentially, breaking the existing framework is important; the 'third zone' itself is not the goal."

Former professor Jin Joong-kwon and others are among Geum's supporters. In response, Geum said, "There is a sense of problem that existing parties do not represent us," adding, "Except for those who support politicians like fan clubs, the number of people who cannot rely on anywhere is increasing, which can be a cause of tremendous instability."

He continued, "To solve this, a political party must be created, and if intentions align, many people will join. It may not be immediate, but ultimately, I believe creating a party is my political mission."

Former lawmaker Geum has agreed with Representative Ahn Cheol-soo to nominate a unified candidate on the 1st of next month and is coordinating the schedule for debates. It appears that he aims to use this by-election as an opportunity to promote political realignment by forming a party other than the People Power Party.

Geum argued, "It is more advantageous for opposition candidates to come from the third zone rather than the People Power Party," adding, "Even People Power Party supporters do not say we should not unify. Many support the third zone because they want the opposition to win and believe the third zone is more advantageous."

He strongly criticized the government's real estate policy. Former lawmaker Geum said, "When each pursues their desires and needs, they find rational methods, but the public-led approach can never succeed," adding, "Above all, if loan regulations are not eased, new supply will be blocked. Capital gains tax also needs to be reviewed."

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