Roh's Son-in-Law, Kwak Sang-eon, Targets Kim Eo-jun: "I Have No Intention of Bowing Down and Doing Politics"

Expresses concern for two consecutive days about the expanding influence of pro-government YouTubers within the party.

Assemblyman Kwak Sang-eon questioning [Yonhap News Photo]

Kwak Sang-eon, an Assemblyman of the Democratic Party and the son-in-law of former President Roh Moo-hyun, reiterated his concerns on the 8th about the growing influence within the party of pro-government oriented YouTube channels, including 'Kim Eo-jun's Humility is Difficult News Factory' (hereinafter referred to as News Factory).

In a Facebook post on the same day, Kwak cited a media report stating that "only 65 lawmakers out of the (Democratic Party) did not appear on (News Factory) once from September of last year to August of this year," and commented, "I, Kwak Sang-eon, am one of those 65 lawmakers."

He added, "If these YouTube broadcasts are 'YouTube powers,' I have no intention of bowing down to them and doing politics." He recalled, "I have heard remarks of this nature, though I can't clearly recall the source: 'If you appear on our broadcast, getting nominated is nothing.'"

He continued, "In the past, media outlets not only influenced politics but also interfered in nominations and candidate selection. During the Democratic Party's presidential primary in 2002, candidate Roh Moo-hyun clearly stated, 'Chosun Ilbo, step away from the Democratic Party's primary.' Things are not much different now."

On Facebook the previous day, Kwak also publicly criticized the situation, sharing a media article pointing out that News Factory has become a core media platform for the Democratic Party, stating, "YouTube power is wielding political power."

In that post, he wrote, "Following the thoughts of a specific individual is considered a 'democratic decision.' This aligns with the political concerns I have held for a long time."