Political Circles Pawned Off to Family... When Will the Presidential Election 'Policy Verification' Take Place?

Focus on Family Over Candidate Verification

Democratic Party: "Kim Geon-hee is a 6 Billion Won Asset Owner
But Pays Only 70,000 Won Monthly for Health Insurance"
Additional Allegations Regarding Assets Revealed

People Power Party Strongly Criticizes Lee's Son for Gambling
Calls for "Leadership to Regain Composure"

Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate (left), and Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee, Boryeong Geum] With about 80 days left until the presidential election, the political arena is focusing more on exposing the deviant behaviors of candidates' families rather than verifying the candidates themselves. While it is true that various aspects of spouses and children need to be scrutinized, many point out that the 'reversal of priorities' that overshadows the core verification process is serious.

On the 17th, both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party did not ease up on the acceleration pedal of negative campaigns related to the families of opposing candidates. A member of the Democratic Party's Health and Welfare Committee revealed that Kim Geon-hee, spouse of People Power Party presidential candidate Yoon Seok-youl, is a wealthy individual with assets worth around 6 billion KRW but paid only about 70,000 KRW monthly in health insurance premiums. This added asset-related suspicions to previous allegations that Kim falsified her resume and academic background during university lecturer recruitment.

In addition, over the past few days, official statements from both ruling and opposition parties and media attention have largely focused on allegations related to Kim Geon-hee and the son of Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung concerning gambling. When allegations arose that Lee's son was involved in illegal gambling and prostitution, People Power Party lawmakers launched a fierce criticism campaign as if waiting for the opportunity. Kim Jin-tae, former lawmaker and chairman of the People Power Party's Lee Jae-myung Corruption Verification Special Committee, appeared on MBC radio that day, stating, "The father quickly apologized, but this is not something that can end with an apology," and added, "Since the son has effectively confessed to habitual gambling, it is natural to say this is a family of criminals spanning three generations." Kim Jae-won, a senior party official, also pointed out, "This is not simply a moral issue or a youthful lapse but a case where an adult is realistically committing crimes. Therefore, I thought this issue cannot be overlooked."

Verification of candidates' close circles is always a topic during presidential election phases, but experts say the extent this time is severe. Since verifying family members is an indirect way to understand one aspect of a candidate's qualifications, the current situation can be seen as a kind of 'overheating.' Eom Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, advised, "The presidential election phase should be guided toward verifying national governance capabilities," and added, "The election committees and leadership of both parties need to regain composure."

Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University acknowledged the necessity of the current verification process, saying, "When family allegations arise, they cannot be ignored and must be addressed," but also noted the limits of its impact, stating, "Such issues are unlikely to influence voters to change their preferred candidates." On the other hand, political commentator Hwang Tae-soon said, "It is absurd for someone who cannot protect their family to claim they will protect the country," emphasizing, "Family verification must definitely be conducted."