Candidate Kim Kyung-jin's Announcement of 'Rejoining the Democratic Party' Draws a Firm 'No' from the Party

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Yoon Jamin] Kim Kyung-jin, candidate for Buk-gu (Gap), Gwangju Metropolitan City, announced that he would apply for rejoining the Democratic Party of Korea after the April 15 general election, but the Democratic Party drew a line by refusing to allow his reentry.

On the 8th, Kim issued a press release stating, “I firmly believe that the future of the Republic of Korea exists only if the ruling party succeeds, and that our Gwangju can achieve greater development,” adding, “Only then can we accomplish the historic task of recreating a democratic reform government centered on Honam.”

He continued, “After witnessing the ‘support declarations from 271 professors in Gwangju and Jeonnam,’ as well as ‘support declarations from current and former Democratic Party members’ and ‘support declarations from taxi industry drivers,’ I will heed the requests of local residents and supporters and apply to rejoin the Democratic Party of Korea after the election,” asserting, “I aim to become a re-elected member of the National Assembly and contribute to the successful governance of the Moon Jae-in administration and, based on that, to the recreation of a democratic reform government in the upcoming 2022 presidential election.”

In response, the Democratic Party immediately stated a firm position of refusing reentry, calling it “an act of political opportunism and misleading the citizens of Gwangju.”

Lee Hae-chan, Standing Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, said at the ‘Gwangju On-site Joint Election Committee Meeting,’ “There have been cases in the Honam region where candidates ran as independents or from other parties, won, and then campaigned saying they would join or rejoin our party,” adding, “Our party will not allow reentry.”

He went on, “Independent candidate Kim Kyung-jin has openly advocated rejoining the Democratic Party after winning as an independent, and today he announced his intention to ‘apply to rejoin the Democratic Party of Korea after the election,’” criticizing, “A politician who has repeatedly left the party and run as an independent, pursuing personal political gain over party values, is now revealing his migratory bird nature through Democratic Party marketing.”

He added, “Candidate Kim Kyung-jin will not be able to satisfy any selfish interests by using the Democratic Party,” and “The Democratic Party of Korea Gwangju City Party reiterates its position of ‘refusing Kim Kyung-jin’s reentry.’”