Newly elected lawmaker Kim Tae-gyu initially refused, then accepted, President's congratulatory flowers

Kim Tae-gyu, a newly elected member of the National Assembly for the People Power Party, initially rejected a congratulatory flower arrangement sent by President Lee Jae-myung. Kim, who secured victory in the Ulsan Nam-gap by-election, posted on Facebook that he had left the flowers outside his door. He argued that instead of adhering to protocol, the focus should be on addressing the serious political circumstances and determining accountability for recent events, especially with citizens protesting in Songpa.

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I left the flowers outside the door. Rather than following protocol by sending flowers, it is more important to answer to the public about how such a situation came to pass and who should be held responsible.

Kim stated that given the gravity of the political climate, he would politely decline the congratulations. However, less than a day later, he reversed his decision. In a subsequent Facebook post, Kim explained that the flowers themselves were innocent and that his aide had suggested taking them inside, saying, 'Let's try to grow it well.' He then named one of the flowers 'Myeongnan,' a play on words suggesting 'growing up properly,' and vowed to cultivate it well.

This episode highlights the contentious political atmosphere surrounding the recent by-elections. Kim Tae-gyu himself has faced criticism in the past for remarks made during his tenure at the Korea Communications Commission, particularly concerning the alleged suppression of public broadcasting and support for certain historical events. While 14 newly elected lawmakers received congratulatory flowers, Kim was the only one to initially refuse them, before ultimately accepting.

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What fault do the flowers have? My aide said, 'Let's try to grow it well,' and brought it inside.

The incident underscores the deep divisions and charged emotions within South Korean politics, where even symbolic gestures like congratulatory flowers can become points of contention amid broader public dissatisfaction and calls for accountability.

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Myeongnan! Live righteously.