Lee Nak-yeon Side Officially Submits Objection to Primary Results... "Urging a Runoff Vote"

Choi In-ho, Chief of the Integrated Situation Headquarters of Lee Nak-yeon's campaign, is moving on the afternoon of the 11th to the Democratic Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, to submit an objection to the National Election Commission regarding the party's presidential candidate decision. 2021.10.11 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Former Democratic Party leader Lee Nak-yeon's campaign officially submitted an objection letter to the party on the 11th to cancel the 'invalid vote processing' that occurred during the presidential candidate selection process and to conduct a runoff vote.

Choi In-ho, head of the comprehensive situation headquarters of Lee Nak-yeon's campaign, visited the central party office in Yeouido in the afternoon and submitted the objection documents to the party's General Affairs Bureau. The envelope was labeled "Objection Letter Regarding the Interpretation of Article 59, Paragraph 1 of the Special Party Regulations."

Earlier, the party's election commission invalidated the votes for former Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun and Representative Kim Du-kwan, who withdrew midway through the primary, according to the special party regulations. However, Lee's side recognizes these as valid votes and maintains that since candidate Lee Jae-myung failed to secure a majority, a runoff vote should be held.

After submitting the objection letter, Representative Choi told reporters, "The letter contains a request for the party's Supreme Council to actively discuss and accept the objection for a runoff vote," adding, "That will be the true path to becoming one team."

Bae Jae-jung, spokesperson for Lee's campaign, also stated in a commentary, "The party leadership should immediately convene the Supreme Council and interpret the party regulations on invalid vote processing for withdrawn candidates 'as they are,'" urging, "We call for a runoff vote that reflects the current 'true voter intention as it is.'"

The party's election commission plans to begin discussions immediately upon receiving the objection letter. However, since Lee's side also filed objections with the election commission last month that were not accepted, the possibility of overturning the invalid vote processing seems low.