People Power Party Cuts Off Gangwon Governor Candidate Kim Jin-tae... Concerns Over 'Yoonism' Controversy in Local Elections

Hwang Sang-mu, Former Anchor, Selected as People Power Party Candidate for Gangwon Province Governor
Yoon's Influence Controversy Erupts Across Local Elections Including Gyeonggi Province Governor

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The People Power Party's nomination management committee decided on the 14th to single-candidate nominate Hwang Sang-mu, former KBS anchor, as the candidate for Governor of Gangwon Province. As former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae, who had an advantage in public opinion polls, was cut off, the controversy over ‘Yunsim’ (the mind of President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol) is expected to intensify. Former lawmaker Kim strongly opposed the decision and requested a reconsideration.

Kim Haeng, spokesperson for the People Power Party's Local Election Nomination Management Committee, is briefing on current issues at the National Assembly Communication Center on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Kim Haeng, spokesperson for the nomination committee, announced in a briefing that day, "We have decided to single-candidate recommend former anchor Hwang as the People Power Party’s candidate for Governor of Gangwon Province." Kim explained, "There were two applicants for the primary (former anchor Hwang and former lawmaker Kim), but as one was cut off, the other was decided," adding, "This is not a strategic nomination." Former anchor Hwang is known to have assisted President-elect Yoon in TV debates during the last presidential election.

In the Gangwon Province governor election, support for Lee Kwang-jae, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, is leading, making it a closely contested race between the ruling and opposition parties. The party cut off the candidate who was ranked first in internal support. The reason for former lawmaker Kim’s cut-off is known to be related to past controversial remarks. Previously, a suitability survey for the People Power Party’s candidate for Governor of Gangwon Province, commissioned by G1, a local private broadcaster in Gangwon, to Ipsos (conducted from the 31st of last month to the 2nd of this month, targeting 1,001 residents aged 18 or older in Gangwon Province), showed former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae leading with 28.2%, followed by former anchor Hwang at 9.8%.

Even within the nomination committee, there were reports of ‘Yunsim’ controversy regarding the nomination of former anchor Hwang. Spokesperson Kim said, "It is true that there was some burden, and some committee members expressed concerns."

Former lawmaker Kim opposed the decision, saying, "I cannot accept the nomination committee’s decision," adding, "I have filed an objection, and if it is not accepted, I will devise drastic measures."

‘Yunsim’ controversies have erupted in various People Power Party primaries. For example, Kim Tae-heum, who ran for Governor of Chungcheongnam-do, is known to have been directly encouraged to run by President-elect Yoon. Similarly, Kim Eun-hye, who ran for Governor of Gyeonggi Province, was involved in a similar controversy. The fact that Kim Eun-hye, who was supposed to serve as the spokesperson for the President-elect until the government’s inauguration next month, resigned has been interpreted as reflecting the President-elect’s intentions. In particular, there are criticisms that people who helped President-elect Yoon during the presidential election flocked to Kim Eun-hye’s campaign. Additionally, controversies over ‘Yunsim’ have also arisen regarding the cut-offs of former lawmaker Lee Hye-hoon, who challenged for Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do, and former lawmaker Park Maeng-woo, who ran for Mayor of Ulsan.

Meanwhile, detailed public opinion poll results can be found on the website of the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission.