Controversy Over Leaked Primary Results Turns the Opposition... Hong and Yoo Demand "Reveal the Spreaders of False Information"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Internal unrest continues within the People Power Party regarding suspicions that the results of the party’s second presidential primary cut-off were partially leaked. The People Power Party’s presidential primary election management committee explained that "security was thoroughly maintained," but candidates including former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo have demanded a thorough investigation.

On the 9th, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min’s campaign issued a statement saying, "Some media outlets reported the rankings of the second primary cut-off, and regarding the 4% figure mentioned by a member of Yoon Seok-yeol’s campaign on a broadcast, it was stated that ‘the figures are incorrect, and the election management committee and polling agencies are strictly maintaining security.’ According to the party’s election management committee’s announcement, the primary results were not leaked," summarizing the situation.

In this regard, Yoo’s campaign stated, "The media outlet that reported the rankings spread baseless fake news, and the remarks made by Kim Kyung-jin, a special advisor to candidate Yoon Seok-yeol, saying ‘Only a few key officials at the Yeouido Institute and Chairman Jeong Hong-won know the results. I also heard that it was about 4% ahead. Among party members, the support was more than double,’ are also spreading false information."

They demanded the election management committee to "thoroughly verify whether there was any leak through any channel, and if so, hold the media outlet accountable for spreading false information and take immediate measures to prevent recurrence." They also said, "Kim Kyung-jin must disclose where he obtained the ‘4%’ information. If he cannot reveal the source, Yoon Seok-yeol’s campaign will inevitably be seen as part of the group spreading false information." Furthermore, they urged, "To ensure a fair and accurate primary process going forward, candidates Won Hee-ryong, Yoon Seok-yeol, and Hong Joon-pyo should actively participate in this investigation."

They also warned, "If the election management committee maintains a lukewarm attitude like this, it will be tantamount to admitting that the committee is protecting a specific candidate."

Hong Joon-pyo’s campaign also demanded a thorough investigation and the establishment of supplementary measures.

Hong stated, "Investigate all claims such as ‘a specific camp’s candidate received twice the vote share compared to competing candidates in the responsible party member vote’ and ‘the basis for the 4% gap between candidates published by a specific media outlet,’ and identify those responsible for leaking the information," demanding, "The monitoring team should hold those responsible accountable."

He added, "Promptly establish measures such as candidate representatives’ observation during polling result aggregation and primary result unsealing to prevent disputes over fairness," and pointed out, "Allowing the primary management to neglect the rampant false claims will bring about a tremendous backlash that undermines the People Power Party’s united team for regime change."