'The Story of Being Excluded from Nomination Despite Passing First in the June 1 Local Election Primary'

People Power Party excludes Seomyeong-ok, former head of Gangnam Health Center, who ranked first in primary for Gangnam District Mayor nomination
Strategic nomination of first-round eliminated candidate amid election law violation controversy
Delayed resignation leads to cancellation of independent candidacy

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th and is talking with Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader, before the meeting starts. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Hyun-ji] On the last day of candidate registration for the June 1 local elections, the 13th, a commotion broke the quiet atmosphere in front of the People Power Party's Supreme Council meeting room at the National Assembly in Yeouido. Seo Myeong-ok, former head of the Gangnam-gu Health Center, who was eliminated just before the nomination as the People Power Party candidate for Seoul Gangnam District Mayor, and her supporters visited to protest the final nomination decision. The People Power Party decided to nominate a candidate who was eliminated in the first round of the primary instead of Seo, who had won the primary that day.

The situation is as follows. Initially, the People Power Party cut off former Gangnam-gu Council Chairman Jo Seong-myeong in the first primary round and decided on a primary between Seo Myeong-ok, former head of the Gangnam-gu Health Center, and former lawmaker Lee Eun-jae. After two rounds of primaries, including a final vote by ARS targeting 100% responsible party members, Seo defeated Lee and was left only with the Supreme Council's approval. However, the Supreme Council held a meeting at the National Assembly that day and finally decided to strategically nominate former Chairman Jo Seong-myeong, who was cut off in the first primary, as the candidate for Gangnam District Mayor instead of Seo.

The Supreme Council switched to strategic nomination due to allegations of election law violations against Seo, who ranked first in the primary. It was reported that they judged it could become a problem. Lee accused Seo of sending text messages to voters containing false information that targeted her, stating that Seo was fined 5 million won for fraud charges related to embezzling National Assembly budget funds, and filed a complaint against Seo for spreading false information under the Public Official Election Act.

A party official said, "The party leadership judged that it was inappropriate to nominate either of the two," and added, "There will be no reversal of the result."

It also became difficult for Seo to run as an independent. To run as an independent, one must leave the People Power Party by the 11th, before the candidate registration period, but the Supreme Council's delayed decision caused her to miss the deadline. Seo's side claimed that the Supreme Council intentionally delayed the decision. In a phone call with Asia Economy on the 14th, she stated, "Some party members suggested looking for other options, so I am considering various plans," clearly indicating that she would not accept the result as it is.