Ex-Nosamo Boss: Group Losing Relevance

Kim Young-bu was the first chairman of Nosamo, an online-based supporter’s group for Roh Moo-hyun when it was launched in June, 2000. Now he is an executive adviser of the group and leading the election campaign of Kang Kum-sil, the Seoul mayor candidate of the ruling Uri party.

He pointed out, “Nosamo was influential at the beginning because the general public was favorable to us. But they no longer believe that we are innovative.”

Kim went on to say, “Even leadership of the opposition Grand National Party was favorable to Nosamo at the beginning because it was regarded as a pure gathering, unlike existing political or civic groups. But now nobody cares about Nosamo’s policy discussion due to the unfriendly perceptions of the public toward the group.”

Kim emphasized repeatedly, “Nosamo has no common ground with the public.” He added, “The Red Devils are still operating despite some internal problems. This is possible because people support them. But Nosamo rejects any ideas different from their own.”

Kim also said that “Nosamo is greatly responsible for the closed nature of support groups for politicians that were established following it. Nosamo failed to move beyond a proper noun to become a common noun meaning the leader of general social reform.”

Kim criticized the current participatory government as well. He said, “Policies will work well only when they go down well with the public. If a dictator wanted to eliminate the national security law or private school law, the public might show great support. But now people look at those policies with suspicious eyes. People admit that those policies are moves in the right direction. But still there is an emotional distance between the public and the government.”

Kim criticized Roh Hye-kyung, the current head of Nosamo, for being “more political than politicians.” He also said, “The secretariat of Nosamo wrote on the web, ‘Watch developments cautiously’ the day after the head of the Grand National Party was attacked. But she made a personal comment on the issue. It cannot be interpreted otherwise, but she wants to stand out.”

He added, “You can suspect that the attack might be the Grand National Party’s own play. But a reasonable organization does not make that suspicion public. Roh only gave ground for criticism by making such remarks.”

Kim said, “You might feel better after you have expressed cynical ideas. But others will turn a deaf ear to you, saying, “Okay. You think you are something.”

He said, “It is practically difficult for Nosamo to start anew. It has many members. But it is uncertain that they will be able to keep their rationality and sincerity in Nosamo.”

Kim confessed that he does not talk big that he was the head of Nosamo. He said, “A career stop should be a plus for you. If it is a minus, who brags about it?”

ditto@donga.com