Song Kap-seok

Song Kap-seok (Korean: 송갑석, 10 October 1966 ~ ) is a South Korean activist[2] and politician serving as a member of National Assembly for West District of Gwangju, along with Chun Jung-bae. He is also the sole Democratic Party MP in Gwangju.[3]

In this Korean name, the family name is Song.
Song Kap-seok
송갑석
Member of the National Assembly
Assumed office
14 June 2018
Preceded bySong Ki-seok
ConstituencyGwangju West 1st
Personal details
Born (1966-10-10) 10 October 1966
Goheung County, South Jeolla, South Korea
CitizenshipSouth Korean
Political partyDemocratic
Other political
affiliations		Uri[1]
NPAD
Alma materUniversity of South Jeolla Province
OccupationActivist, politician
ReligionRoman Catholic
(Christian name : Daniel)

Biography

Born in Goheung, Song attended to University of South Jeolla Province. He was a socialist activist from the end of 1980s to the early of 1990s.[2][4] In 1990, he was arrested and detained until 1995.[4]

After released, he started his political career. He then ran as an nonpartisan MP for South District of Gwangju in 2000,[5] but was defeated with the vote of 9.17%. He then endorsed Roh Moo-hyun during the presidential election in 2002.[2]

During the mid of 2000s, Song moved to the United States and started his further study.[2][4] He then returned to South Korea and spoke up for human rights.[2] Following the activities, Song ran again as independent MP for West 1st constituency but lost again.[5]

Song later entered to the Democratic Party and contested again for the same constituency but was again defeated by Song Ki-sok of the People's Party, then Bareunmirae Party.[2] Following the election annulment of Song Ki-sok in the early 2018, Song Kap-sok was considered again as a possible candidate. Despite of a controversy during the primary,[5][3] Song was officially selected as the candidate and defeated the PDP candidate Kim Myong-jin with a high margin.[2]

Controversies

On 12 August 2018, Song had suggested a law amendment - replacing abductee (to North Korea) to missing - with several MPs from the same party.[1][6] This movement was harshly criticised by abductees' relatives.

Two days later, Family Association for Abductees of 25 June declared to sue Song as defamation and offending National Security Act.[6] The association condemned his action as "disrespecting victims and its relatives".[6] They also continued that they would not decline their lawsuit.

Song was reported that he was praising Kim Il-sung during the investigation at Agency for National Security Planning (now National Intelligence Service) in 1991.[1] During that time, he said - I admire Kim Il-sung. I feel happy when his healthy and vigorous face is appeared on television. The government of DPRK, who guarantees justice and autonomy, is the sole legal government of Korea. Korea must be reunified as DPRK because it is the true reunification.[1]

Election results

General elections
YearConstituencyPolitical partyVotes (%)Remarks
2000Gwangju SouthIndependent8,649 (9.17%)Defeated
2012Gwangju West AIndependent10,177 (16.74%)Defeated
2016Gwangju West ADemocratic25,474 (35.33%)Defeated
2018Gwangju West ADemocratic60,279 (83.46%)Won
2020Gwangju West ADemocratic69,285 (82.18%)Won

References
  1. "[피플] "납북자→ 실종자로 하자" 황당 법안… 송갑석은?". 17 August 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  2. "[6·13 선거] '투옥 학생운동권' 출신 송갑석 국회 입성". 13 June 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  3. "'광주 유일' 민주당 송갑석 의원, 피고소인 신분으로 경찰조사". 3 September 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  4. "전대협 의장 출신 송갑석 "호남 정치 세대교체 나서겠다"". 6 February 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  5. "민주 전략공천 '역풍'…'386 운동권' 송갑석 3전4기 성공하나". 28 April 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
  6. "송갑석 의원, '납북자'를 '戰時실종자'로 바꾸는 6.25납북피해자법 개정안 발의". 16 August 2018. Retrieved 2 November 2018.
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