Kim Bu-gyeom: "If party members want, candidates must be fielded in Seoul and Busan elections... Provided there is a public apology"

Former Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Bu-gyeom is entering the funeral hall of the late Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, set up at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Former lawmaker Kim Bu-gyeom, who challenged the Democratic Party's leadership, said that whether to field candidates in the Seoul and Busan by-elections next April should depend on the will of the party members.

On the 14th, Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "In fact, the Seoul mayoral election and the Busan mayoral election are linked," adding, "These elections have become ones that gauge the entire nation and have a direct impact on the upcoming presidential election, and for the party, they could even affect the basis of its existence."

He continued, "It has become too big an issue to insist solely on the party constitution and regulations. If it is difficult to uphold the party constitution, the leadership must clearly explain and apologize to the public for any changes to be possible; otherwise, it will be difficult to gain public trust."

The Democratic Party's constitution and regulations stipulate that if an elected official belonging to the party loses their position due to serious misconduct such as corruption, the party should not nominate a candidate in the resulting by-election.

Kim said, "Since these elections are to choose the heads of the capital of the Republic of Korea and the second-largest city, they are indeed very significant elections that could determine the party's fate. Therefore, the opinions of the party members who have worked hard in those regions are the most important. We should first respect their judgment if they want to try this time and unite our strength."

He believes that if the party constitution and regulations are to be changed, a public apology must be a prerequisite. Kim said, "I think the party constitution should be upheld now," but added, "If the party constitution and regulations are changed, a public apology and explanation should be made."