Democratic Party Jeonnam Provincial Party, Imminent Announcement of Additional Incumbent Cutoffs

Attention on Additional Disqualifications Following Jangseong and Muan County Governors

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] As the candidate screening by the Democratic Party of Korea Jeonnam Provincial Party’s Public Office Candidate Recommendation Management Committee for the June 1 local elections reaches its final stage, attention is focused on whether any incumbent heads of local governments will face additional disqualifications.

According to the Jeonnam Provincial Party on the 17th, a total of 647 candidates registered for the June 1 local elections Democratic Party of Korea Jeonnam basic local government heads and metropolitan/basic council members: 103 for basic local government heads, 138 for metropolitan council members, and 406 for basic council members.

The Jeonnam Provincial Party’s Public Office Candidate Recommendation Committee, chaired by former Chonnam National University President Jeong Byeongseok and composed of 19 members, began a thorough screening of candidates from the 8th, and as of the morning of the 17th, announced the exclusion of over 40 candidates from nomination, including 2 incumbent local government heads.

Among the incumbent heads are Yu Duseok, Jangseong County Governor, and Kim San, Muan County Governor, which has shocked the local political circles.

They were referred to the central party’s Ethics Tribunal, which decided to disqualify them from nomination and notified the Jeonnam Provincial Party. After their appeal was dismissed on the 15th, they were finally eliminated and are now preparing to run as independents.

In addition, the Jeonnam Provincial Party’s Public Office Candidate Recommendation Committee stated that it is continuing detailed verification and has requested submission of explanatory materials from a total of 35 candidates, including 4 incumbent basic local government heads.

According to the committee’s schedule, candidate interviews began on the 13th, suitability opinion polls started on the 15th, and between the 17th and 19th, the candidates for the primary and the primary method will be finalized. During this period, additional disqualifications are expected to be announced. Also, the results of the incumbent local government heads’ evaluation conducted last December will be disclosed, including evaluations of the bottom 20%.

It is known that about 5 to 6 incumbent local government heads are currently undergoing detailed verification or have received whistleblower reports requiring further investigation.

Among the candidates named, many have solid support bases in their regions, so their backlash and decisions on independent candidacies after the announcement of additional disqualifications are expected to be variables in the election outcome.

Meanwhile, in the June 2018 7th nationwide simultaneous local elections for Jeonnam mayors and county governors, five candidates?Kwon Obong, Mayor of Yeosu; Jeong Hyunbok, Mayor of Gwangyang; Yu Duseok, Jangseong County Governor; Jeong Jongsun, Jangheung County Governor; and Park Wuryang, Shinan County Governor?ran as independents and won their elections.