Kim Nam-guk "Wearing Glasses Since High School for 20 Years, Yet Accused of Pretending to Be an Ordinary Citizen"

Kim Nam-guk's Facebook Post Appeals for Justice
"Inherited Father's Car and Drove It Up to 240,000 km"

Regarding the controversy over the '6 billion won coin,' Kim Nam-guk, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "No matter how much I think about it, I find it difficult to agree with the criticism that I was pretending to be an ordinary citizen."

On the 8th, Kim posted on his Facebook under the title, "I have lived frugally all my life, so are you saying I have been pretending for 40 years?" He said, "After reports related to virtual currency came out from the People Power Party along with the Chosun Ilbo, criticism has been created targeting me, saying I am 'pretending to be an ordinary citizen' or 'pretending to be weak.' I reflected on whether the frugal and thrifty life I have lived all my life was ultimately hypocrisy."

Kim Nam-guk, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim continued, "However, no matter how much I think about it, I find it difficult to agree with the criticism that I was pretending to be an ordinary citizen," adding, "I wore the glasses I bought in my second year of high school for 20 years, and even during my time as a lawyer, I inherited my father's car and drove it up to 240,000 km. Even in writings long before I considered running for office, my frugal lifestyle is clearly evident."

Kim said, "While I was very careful with my own expenses, I always shared generously and happily with juniors, students, and acquaintances when it came to spending. Whether before or after running for office, I have lived this way all my life, so how can it be called 'pretending to be an ordinary citizen'?"

Kim argued that the controversy surrounding him stems from a double standard directed at him and the Democratic Party. He said, "When Kim Gun-hee, who has assets worth 7.2 billion won, buys 30,000 won slippers, she becomes a 'sold-out woman,' but when Kim Nam-guk of the Democratic Party wears 30,000 won sneakers, it is called 'pretending to be an ordinary citizen.' When Lee Jun-seok of the People Power Party does it, it is 'boasting,' but when Kim Nam-guk of the Democratic Party does it, it becomes a 'controversy.' Some even say it is wrong 'because he is from the Democratic Party.' This is just a political offensive and a double standard."

Finally, he said, "The People Power Party also confirmed that there is no problem and commented that 'the public is not criticizing the act of trading coins itself,' so I hope they will now stop the political offensive that forcibly tries to find faults and cause damage."

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