Democratic Party: "Kim Moonsoo's Pro-Japanese, Traitorous View of History Raises Doubts About His Presidential Qualifications"

Democratic Party Rapid Response Team Press Conference on May 29

The Democratic Party of Korea's Central Election Committee Rapid Response Team criticized Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, calling him a "New Right candidate with a pro-Japanese and traitorous view of history" and stating, "Even his basic qualifications as a presidential candidate are in doubt."

Yonhap News

On May 29, at a press conference held on the second floor of the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, the Rapid Response Team made these remarks. The press conference was also attended by international law and Korean history experts, including Lee Janghee, Honorary Professor at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies; Chung Taeheon, Honorary Professor at Korea University; Chung Younghoon, Honorary Professor at the Academy of Korean Studies; Han Hongkoo, Professor at Sungkonghoe University; and Lee Dongwon, Senior Research Fellow at the Asia Institute for Social Sciences.

The Rapid Response Team stated, "Recently, Kim claimed that 'during the Japanese colonial era, Koreans were Japanese nationals' and that 'if Korea had not been colonized by Japan, the Republic of Korea would not exist today.' With such outrageous remarks, he has deeply wounded those who risked their lives to defend Korea's independence and democracy. How can a Korean openly advocate pro-Japanese views in Korea?"

They added, "Kim also failed to offer a single word of apology, even as a minister at the time, regarding the December 3 armed insurrection, when special forces descended from helicopters and stormed the National Assembly, the hall of the people's will. He has now gained the power to become the People Power Party's presidential candidate through the force of that insurrection."

The team further stated, "Kim has denied the March 1 Movement, which resisted Japanese oppression, and has denied countless patriots such as Yu Gwansun, Yun Bonggil, and Ahn Junggeun, who gave their lives for Korea's independence. Furthermore, he has gone so far as to brand General Hong Beomdo, who sacrificed his entire family for the nation and could not rest in peace, as a communist."

The Rapid Response Team concluded, "We cannot allow the Republic of Korea to regress or let the people live in fear. Kim must immediately withdraw his candidacy."

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