Kim Young-deuk and Kim Dong-hyun, Democratic Party Suncheon Mayor Candidates Declare 'Political Intrigue' and 'Trickery' Nomination Invalid

Assemblyman So Byeong-cheol, Apologize Profusely to Citizens and Step Down from the Political Frontline

[Suncheon=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] On the 6th, Kim Young-deuk and Kim Dong-hyun, preliminary candidates who were eliminated in the Democratic Party of Korea's Suncheon mayoral primary, held a press conference and said, "There was an utterly unacceptable political manipulation in this Suncheon mayoral primary," and appealed, "Please stand up righteously against the arrogant power that disregards the citizens."

They continued, "Committee Chairman So Byung-chul is classified as an unqualified candidate due to a corruption criminal record, has no experience leading Suncheon City, and created the current chaotic situation to nominate an unverified candidate," and claimed, "Meanwhile, several qualified candidates were cut off through tricks and reckless moves."

They also questioned whether it was appropriate to nominate a person with a previous conviction of one year imprisonment suspended for two years for embezzlement in office to the position of Suncheon mayor, given that the annual budget of Suncheon City exceeds 1.7 trillion won.

This is a question of whether a candidate who committed embezzlement can casually receive the nomination of a public party to become the mayor representing 280,000 Suncheon citizens.

They asked about the position of Representative So Byung-chul regarding Mayor Heo Seok’s second trial verdict, when he said, "Apologize first," and about today's results.

They urged, "So Byung-chul, who was the regional chairman and a member of the nomination screening committee, should immediately apologize profusely to the citizens and withdraw from the front lines of politics."

Meanwhile, considering the 2023 Suncheon Bay International Garden Expo and the future of Suncheon City, they argued that the next Suncheon mayor should be a person of integrity and firmness.

They said they would find a citizen candidate who the citizens agree with and who can share the future vision of Suncheon City.