[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Democratic Party of Korea and the Liberty Korea Party have come under the spotlight for candidate nominations. The Democratic Party is intensely focused on Moon Seok-gyun, the senior vice chairman of Uijeongbu Gap in Gyeonggi Province and son of National Assembly Speaker Moon Hee-sang, former Blue House spokesperson Kim Eui-gyeom, and former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju. The Liberty Korea Party must decide whether to nominate lawmaker Kim Seong-tae, who was recently subject to a court ruling. These individuals could influence the overall public opinion within their parties. However, if all those involved in controversies are rejected, the parties may face criticism for lacking principles. Both parties are inevitably grappling with difficult decisions.
Kim Seong-hwan, a Democratic Party lawmaker and chief secretary to the party leader, appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 22nd and stated, "The value of fairness in our society has increased, so we have conveyed the party's concerns and public sentiment to the Speaker and the parties involved. I expect they will make wise decisions."
This is interpreted as hoping for their voluntary withdrawal from candidacy. On the 20th, Kim Hae-young, a senior member of the Democratic Party, directly criticized, saying, "It is difficult for the public to accept a child running for the same party's nomination immediately after a parent currently serving as a lawmaker in the same district." The Democratic Party included Speaker Moon's district in the strategic nomination areas, but Do Jong-hwan, head of the strategic nomination committee, also stated, "We will prioritize recruiting new talents."
Speaker Moon played a steadfast role in passing reform bills such as the election law amendment and the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office Act. However, amid the already heightened 'Dad Chance' controversy due to the 'Cho Kuk incident,' the Democratic Party cannot ignore the potential public backlash from Moon's son's candidacy.
The Democratic Party's Candidate Verification Committee has yet to reach a conclusion on the eligibility of former spokesperson Kim as a preliminary candidate and is still deliberating. Although Kim announced he would donate all profits from the controversial sale of a building in Heukseok-dong, Seoul, public opinion remains largely unfavorable. Former lawmaker Jeong was acquitted in the first trial last year after being indicted over sexual harassment allegations and was reinstated to the party. While he was found not guilty of defamation and false accusation charges, many believe he has not fully escaped suspicion regarding the sexual harassment itself. Senior member Kim also mentioned on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current Affairs' the previous day that "there are some concerns within the party" about former lawmaker Jeong.
Regarding Liberty Korea Party lawmaker Kim, although he was acquitted in the first trial on charges of bribery related to improper solicitation on the 17th, the court ruled that his daughter was involved in an unfair hiring process at KT. Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Kim, saying, "Since the daughter's unfair employment has been acknowledged as fact, he should take moral responsibility and retire from politics," adding, "Being exempt from legal punishment does not grant a moral pardon."
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