Kim Bu-gyeom: "Politics is reality... We will amend the party constitution to nominate candidates for Seoul and Busan mayor"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] Former lawmaker Kim Bu-gyeom, who declared his candidacy for the Democratic Party of Korea’s party leader election, announced that he will amend the party constitution to field candidates in next year’s Seoul mayoral and Busan mayoral by-elections. He emphasized that if candidates are not fielded according to the current party constitution, the momentum of the Moon Jae-in administration will decline.

On the morning of the 15th, Kim posted on his Facebook, "The Democratic Party’s constitution includes a clause that prohibits nominating candidates in by-elections held after our party’s candidate steps down due to an unfortunate incident," adding, "If the party members’ will is to nominate candidates, I will sincerely apologize to the public and ask for their understanding. If necessary, I will amend the party constitution."

He stressed, "In addition to Busan, the election will also be held in Seoul. Combined, the number of voters exceeds 10 million," and added, "The election results could affect the successful conclusion of the Moon Jae-in administration or the presidential election scheduled for one year later." He continued, "Politics is reality," and said, "Secondary harm to the accuser must not occur. Although after the funeral there are repercussions, we must steadfastly and calmly manage the situation."

In an interview on MBC radio that morning, when asked whether the ethical standards of the party constitution should be strictly applied, he replied, "When there was only the Busan mayoral election, I thought the strict provisions of the party constitution should still be upheld, but since the Seoul mayoral election is overlapping, my thoughts have changed."

He added, "Ultimately, this has become a major issue directly connected to the presidential election in one year," and said, "If the party’s purpose of fulfilling promises to the people is threatened, shouldn’t we ask the party members’ will once again? Also, if we had no choice but to change the situation during that process, shouldn’t we fully explain those details to the public and endure any criticism?"

Regarding the question of what impact it would have on the Democratic Party if candidates are not fielded in the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections according to the current party constitution, Kim said, "There is no doubt that the momentum of the Moon Jae-in administration, which has one year left in its term, will sharply decline."

Meanwhile, concerning the investigation into Mayor Park Won-soon, Kim said, "Since the accuser clearly stated her claims, it would be difficult to approach the truth with only one side’s perspective," and added, "The Seoul Human Rights Commission should be the body to handle the investigation." Regarding the claim by Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, to introduce a special prosecutor, Kim said, "It is defamation of the deceased and political strife," and added, "I understand it is not the accuser’s intention."