An "Recording of Presidential Office Intervention Emerges... Calls for Kim Gi-hyeon’s Resignation"

Official from the Office of Civil Society Chief Requests Party Members' Support for Kim
"Undermines Party Democracy and Civil Servants' Duty of Political Neutrality"
Emergency Committee and Election Commission Must Act Proactively

On the 6th, two days before the People Power Party's March 8th party convention, candidate Ahn Cheol-soo urged the presidential office, the emergency response committee, and the election commission to take action, stating, "There is a recording in which a presidential office official asks party members to support and promote candidate Kim Ki-hyun." He argued that if the presidential office takes no action, candidate Kim Ki-hyun should withdraw.

On the same day, Ahn held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, saying, "If true, this is a clear case of the presidential office interfering in the party leader election, which is a very serious issue," and pointed out, "It is a grave matter that damages party democracy and constitutes a serious violation of Article 7 of the Constitution, which mandates political neutrality for public officials."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ahn said, "This is deeply ingrained in us as a painful scar, as a former president was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison," adding, "Despite such circumstances, the fact that the presidential office intervened in the party's primary election is shocking and beyond disbelief."

According to Kyunghyang Shinmun, an official from the Presidential Office's Civil Society Chief's Office requested party members to spread promotional materials supporting candidate Kim in a KakaoTalk group chat. It is reported that a recording containing specific details has also been secured. The National Public Service Act stipulates the political neutrality obligation, prohibiting public officials from engaging in or joining political parties or organizations.

Ahn said, "The party must also take action," and added, "The emergency response committee and the election commission, who remain silent about the presidential office's clear illegal acts, should realize that they are causing great disappointment to the public and party members."

He warned, "Although these facts have come to light, the presidential office has not issued any official statement," and said, "The presidential office must show the right attitude in accordance with fairness and common sense as expected by the public and party members."

When asked by reporters whether he would withdraw from the party leader race as a form of protest, Ahn stated, "(If the facts are confirmed) candidate Kim Ki-hyun should withdraw."