Kim Jae-won "Apply to be a voter for the ruling party's presidential candidate... My heart leans toward candidate Chu Mi-ae"
Ruling party "Shocking behavior... Have some shame"
[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] On the 11th, Kim Jaewon, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, publicly encouraged participation in the Democratic Party's primary election electorate, prompting criticism from the Democratic Party side, which accused him of "inciting reverse voting."
On the same day, Kim opened his post on Facebook by saying, "The Democratic Party's presidential candidates have been sending text messages one after another, asking to apply for the national electorate. I gladly completed the application to cast a vote."
He continued, "Unless actress Kim Booseon declares support, I won't be inclined to vote for candidate Lee Jae-myung," adding, "So far, my heart leans toward candidate Chu Mi-ae, who appeared on TV and sang 'Female President' as her life song in one verse. Of course, my feelings may change." He also added, "Everyone, please apply to the Democratic Party's national electorate and help bring about a regime change."
Kim's remarks appear to be an indirect criticism of the potential side effects of reverse voting if the proportion of public opinion polls in the presidential primary is increased.
Kim has consistently expressed a negative stance on increasing the weight of general public opinion polls even within his party's primaries. He pointed out that if the scope of the general public in the primaries is not limited to party members and independents, the opposing camp could participate with intent.
Photo by Jaewon Kim, screenshot from the Facebook page of Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party.
In response, voices of criticism have continued from the ruling party. Lee Soyoung, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, mentioned Kim's remarks in a written briefing, stating, "A member of the leadership of the main opposition party is unjustly interfering in another party's internal primary and inciting collective reverse voting by their supporters." She added, "This is a shocking act that shows the political level and a facet of the People Power Party, the main opposition party of the Republic of Korea. They should be ashamed."
Lee also said, "Interfering in another party's internal primary and inducing falsehoods and reverse voting is an illegal and unjust act restricted by the Public Official Election Act," and raised her voice, "The Democratic Party will never overlook Kim's actions that disrupt the democratic selection process of the presidential election by scattering public opinion and unjustly interfering in the selection of the opposing party's candidate, and will actively consider legal measures."
Jung Jinwook, deputy spokesperson for the Lee Jae-myung Gyeonggi Province Governor candidate camp, also issued a statement, saying, "Reverse voting is a de facto criminal act that shakes the foundation of democracy," and urged, "The People Power Party and supporters of Yoon Seok-yeol and other opposition forces should immediately stop interfering in the Democratic Party's primary."
In response to the continued criticism from the ruling party, Kim posted again on Facebook, questioning, "I don't know why they are angry. Didn't they send me text messages asking me to become part of the electorate when I was silent?"
He continued, "Didn't they promote that all citizens, regardless of party affiliation, can become electorate members and that 2 million people would vote? Didn't they say confidently that the reverse voting effect would be minimal?"
He also said, "If I were candidate Lee Jae-myung, I would have responded, 'Kim Jaewon, Supreme Council member! Are you scared because I am the strongest candidate? Still, I would appreciate it if you vote for me so that the strongest fists can face off,'" and directly criticized, "Seeing the deputy spokesperson shouting 'reverse voting is a crime' makes me think the camp is doomed."
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