People Power Party Recommended Moon Sang-bu Also Voluntarily Resigns... "The Election Commission Has Revived, Goal Already Achieved"

People Power Party Accepts Candidate Moon's Resignation and Searches for New Candidate

Moon Sang-bu, candidate for the Central Election Commission, taking an oath at the confirmation hearing held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 6th of last month. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Song Seung-seop] The People Power Party announced on the 22nd that candidate Moon Sang-bu, who was recommended as a non-standing member candidate for the Central Election Commission, will voluntarily withdraw.

On the same day, candidate Moon released a statement saying, “I intended to return as a commissioner of the Election Commission to save it despite criticism from juniors, but thanks to the courageous juniors, the Election Commission has revived, and since that goal has already been achieved, I am happy to withdraw my candidacy as a commissioner,” adding, “I am endlessly grateful and proud of my juniors.”

Candidate Moon is a figure who served as Secretary-General and standing commissioner at the Election Commission. At the end of last year, while working as a People Power Party primary management committee member, he joined the party as a member, which led to criticism that his political neutrality was questionable. On the 6th of last month, he was recommended by the People Power Party as the opposition party’s candidate and completed the National Assembly personnel hearing, but due to opposition from the ruling party, the appointment proposal was not submitted to the plenary session of the National Assembly.

Recently, at the Election Commission, political bias controversy arose when President Moon Jae-in rejected the resignation of standing commissioner Cho Hae-joo, whose term had ended. Since the standing commissioner did not step down and was to work as a non-standing commissioner for another three years, Election Commission staff protested. Subsequently, Commissioner Cho submitted his resignation again, which President Moon accepted.

Candidate Moon appears to have expressed that, having confirmed the Election Commission’s self-purification ability, he will not insist on his role. The statement was also delivered to the People Power Party’s floor leadership. The People Power Party is expected to accept the resignation and seek a new candidate.