'Sharp Turn' in Democratic Party Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi Mayoral Primary Method... Rising 'Nomination Controversy'

Park Gwanyeol, Park Haegwang, Shin Dongheon, "Unfair primary with favoritism for specific candidate placement"
Dong Heeyoung, "'Youth Strategic Electoral District' designation actively accepted... Hope party decision is followed"

Refusing the Youth Strategic Electoral District Citizen Nomination Jury System and demanding the National Participation Primary System are Park Haegwang, Shin Dongheon, and Park Gwanyeol, preliminary candidates for mayor of Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province from the Democratic Party of Korea (from left in the photo)
[Candidate Election Camp]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] Most of the Democratic Party of Korea's preliminary candidates for mayor of Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province (3 out of 4) strongly opposed the Central Party Emergency Committee and the Gyeonggi Provincial Party's change in the candidate nomination method, calling it an "unfair primary with special favors to push a specific candidate."

Park Gwan-yeol, Park Hae-kwang, and Shin Dong-heon, preliminary candidates for mayor of Gwangju City from the Democratic Party, held a press conference at the Gwangju City Hall briefing room on the 26th, stating, "Ahead of confirming the primary candidates, the Emergency Committee and the Gyeonggi Provincial Party suddenly changed the method, designating a youth strategic electoral district and deciding to select candidates through a citizen nomination jury system."

They added, "The youth candidate in the Gwangju area is only young in age but is a former aide to a sitting member of the National Assembly and a seasoned politician who served as a Gwangju city council member," urging the immediate withdrawal of the 'youth strategic electoral district' designation.

They also claimed, "Stop immediately the unfair nomination suspicions of trying to nominate a close city council member who is a former aide to a National Assembly member without verified capabilities and policies, and the election support campaign by the National Assembly member."

They raised their voices in unison, saying, "The primary rules were unilaterally changed after the candidate interviews were completed and just before the announcement of the results. Proceed with a fair primary by giving youth bonus points as per the existing principles and by having 50% party members and 50% general citizens participate."

They warned that if their demand for a fair primary is not accepted, it could lead to drastic decisions.

According to the Democratic Party, the method for selecting candidates for the upcoming June 1 local elections is based on a first interview test and a second 'national primary' involving 50% party members and 50% citizens.

In particular, there is a 'citizen nomination jury system' for young political aspirants in their 20s and 30s who face difficulties entering politics due to poor recognition, organizational power, and funding.

This system applies 50% jury from the 2030 generation, 30% 'external personnel' recommended by the party, and 20% interview scores, along with additional points for young women.

Earlier, on the 20th, the party designated the Gwangju mayoral candidate nomination method as a 'youth strategic electoral district' to be selected through the 'citizen nomination jury system.'

Dong Hee-young, Preliminary Candidate for Mayor of Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province, Democratic Party of Korea [Screenshot from Dong Hee-young Gwangju City Council Member Homepage]

Meanwhile, Dong Hee-young, a preliminary candidate for mayor of Gwangju City, Gyeonggi Province, expressed on the 26th that he "will actively accept and participate" regarding the Emergency Committee's designation of Gwangju City as a 'youth strategic electoral district' and the adoption of the 'citizen nomination jury system' for the primary method.

He added, "As a preliminary candidate for mayor of Gwangju from the Democratic Party, I urge all candidates to absolutely accept the nomination process and follow the party's decision in the spirit of putting the party before personal interests, as pledged to the party."

It is known that Dong Hee-young served as the personal secretary to Kim Hye-kyung, wife of candidate Lee Jae-myung, in the recent presidential election.

Currently, the Democratic Party's preliminary candidates for mayor of Gwangju City include three candidates in the 'Gap' district: Shin Dong-heon, the current mayor of Gwangju City; Park Gwan-yeol, a member of the Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly; and Park Hae-kwang, former vice chairman of the Gwangju City Council. In the 'Eul' district, Dong Hee-young, a Gwangju city council member, is running unopposed, making a total of four candidates competing.