Former President Moon Jae-in Meets Former Lawmaker Choi Kang-wook at Event
Former President Moon Jae-in and former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Choi Kang-wook crossed paths at an event on the 19th. The encounter took place a day after the Supreme Court’s final judgment, which resulted in Choi losing his seat in the National Assembly. Despite this setback, both Moon and Choi expressed their joy by embracing each other warmly.
Moon’s Visit to Seoul and Warm Reception
Former President Moon attended a ceremony commemorating the 5th anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration at Building 63 in Yeouido, Seoul. This marked his first visit to Seoul since leaving office in May of the previous year. As Moon and First Lady Kim Jung-sook entered the venue, the attendees erupted in cheers and gave them a standing ovation. Moon, known for his amiable nature, began greeting the crowd by shaking hands. It was at this point that he encountered Choi and exchanged an affectionate hug. A bright smile spread across Choi’s face.
Choi’s Controversial Journey and Loss of Seat
Former lawmaker Choi had previously served as secretary of public service discipline in the Moon Jae-in administration’s Blue House. In the 2020 general election, he was elected as a contributing representative of the Open Democratic Party. However, his career faced a hurdle when he was indicted in January 2020 for issuing a false internship certificate. The certificate was provided to the son of former Minister Cho Kuk during Choi’s time at a law firm. On the 18th, the Supreme Court upheld the original sentence, resulting in an 8-month prison term and 2 years of probation for Choi. Consequently, he lost his seat in the National Assembly. Reflecting on his departure, Choi lamented the inability to fulfill his promises but expressed determination to move forward as a citizen, seeking new aspirations and hope.
Opposition and Support Amid Choi’s Loss
Despite Choi’s political setback, voices from both sides emerged. Former Minister Cho, creating a buzz on social media, described Choi as a person admired by her family for his fighting spirit, courage, and cheerfulness. She reassured him that while one door has closed, another will open. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom emphasized that Choi felt the weight of his Assembly membership badge was burdensome, now liberated to express himself freely. In response, the People’s Power Party questioned the significance of the people’s trust bestowed upon their representatives, asking if the badge’s weight was truly so light.
The event also showcased a video of Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shaking hands at the Military Demarcation Line in Panmunjom back in 2018. Notably, numerous former and current Democratic Party legislators, as well as Blue House officials from the Moon Jae-in administration, were present at the event.
Former President Moon Jae-in met former Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Choi Kang-wook at an event on the 19th. Former legislator Choi lost his seat as a member of the National Assembly following the Supreme Court’s final judgment the day before. Former President Moon and former lawmaker Choi expressed their joy by hugging.
Former Democratic Party lawmaker, Choi Kang-wook, goes to his office in the National Assembly on the 18th. /News
Former President Moon attended the ceremony to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the September 19 Pyongyang Joint Declaration held at Building 63 in Yeouido, Seoul. This is the first time former President Moon has visited Seoul since leaving office in May last year. As former President Moon and First Lady Kim Jung-sook entered the venue before the start of the event, the attendees cheered and gave them a standing ovation. Former President Moon, who was greeting the attendees by shaking their hands, hugged former lawmaker Choi when he encountered him. Former Representative Choi smiled brightly.
Former President Moon Jae-in gives a greeting at the ceremony to commemorate the 5th anniversary of the Pyongyang September 19 Joint Declaration held at Building 63 in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 19th. / Yonhap News
Former lawmaker Choi served as secretary of public service discipline in the Moon Jae-in administration’s Blue House and was elected as a contributing representative of the Open Democratic Party in the 2020 general election. Former lawmaker Choi was indicted in January 2020 on a charge of issuing a false internship certificate to the son of former Minister Cho Kuk while he was working in a law firm. On the 18th, the Supreme Court confirmed the original sentence of 8 months in prison and 2 years of probation in the appeal trial, and former lawmaker Choi lost his seat as a member of the National Assembly. Former lawmaker Choi said, “I am leaving without being able to properly fulfill the promise I made when I entered politics. It is a dull and shameless time, but now I will look at the wide sky behind me and live like a healthy citizen. looking for new stars and new hope.” “he said.
When former lawmaker Choi lost her seat, the opposition continued to defend her. Former Minister Cho posted on Facebook, “Choi Kang-wook. A man of fighting spirit, courage, and cheerfulness. “He was someone my family liked more than me,” she said. “One door has closed, but another will open.” Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Eui-gyeom said, “Choi Kang-wook felt that the badge of a member of the National Assembly was inconvenient. “I held back a lot even if I wanted to say something,” she said. “Now, I won’t hold back. “It will fly high,” he said. In response to this, the People’s Power Party said, “Is the weight of the badge given by the people so light?” and “If this is true, why are we collecting tax money to wear a ‘burdensome’ badge?”
Meanwhile, at the event venue on this day, attendees applauded as a video showed former President Moon and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un shaking hands at the Military Demarcation Line at Panmunjom in 2018. Many attended many former and current Democratic Party legislators and Blue House officials from the Moon Jae-in administration attended the event.
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