Disagreement Over Transfer of Gi Dong-min's Seongbuk-gu Eul District to Strategic Public Relations Committee
Transferred to Strategic Public Relations Committee After Vote
Lee Jae-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and the ex officio member of the Nomination Management Committee as the Chair of the National Women's Committee, is reported to have expressed her intention to resign from the Nomination Management Committee. This is believed to be in protest against the decision process that transferred the Seoul Seongbuk-gu Eul constituency, represented by Assemblyman Ki Dong-min, to the Strategic Nomination Committee, effectively resulting in a 'cutoff.' What issues did she raise regarding this process?
According to multiple Democratic Party officials on the 28th, Ki Dong-min appeared before the Nomination Management Committee the previous day to explain the allegations raised against him. One Democratic Party official said, "In Ki Dong-min's case, a discussion took place after he went through the explanation procedure regarding the allegations, but no consensus was reached," adding, "Opinions such as 'We cannot apply different standards compared to Assemblywoman Lee Su-jin, who entered the primary in Seongnam Jungwon-gu, Gyeonggi Province,' 'Why is the matter judged by the Party Affairs Committee being handled this way?' and 'It would be better to have more discussions later' were gathered, but Chairman Lim Hyuk-baek said a vote was necessary, so the vote proceeded."
The official introduced, "Lee Jae-jung, a Nomination Committee member, protested, saying, 'Where else are such issues decided by a vote?' and despite her saying she would have to resign if it proceeded this way, the vote went ahead." The vote was conducted by secret ballot, which also raised concerns. The official said, "There was an objection that a show of hands should have been used," and "There was a question about why this was done by secret ballot."
Another Democratic Party official said, "After Ki Dong-min explained the suspicions regarding the suit, the Nomination Committee members largely sympathized, but the result was that the case was transferred to the Strategic Nomination Committee," adding, "I don't understand why Ki Dong-min is being treated that way while Assemblywoman Lee Su-jin is being spared."
Assemblymen Ki Dong-min and Lee Su-jin are both currently on trial related to the Lime Fund scandal involving allegations of bribery. Ki Dong-min was indicted on charges of receiving 10 million won in political funds and a suit worth about 2 million won from Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility. Ki Dong-min has denied receiving the 10 million won and stated that although he received the suit, there was no quid pro quo. Lee Su-jin was also indicted on charges of receiving 5 million won from former chairman Kim Bong-hyun.
The different judgments applied to the two assemblymen have sparked controversy over fairness. Regarding this, Chairman Lim Hyuk-baek explained at a Nomination Committee briefing, "In Ki Dong-min's case, he admitted to receiving the bribe, whereas Assemblywoman Lee Su-jin, who is often compared, denied receiving any bribe, so the eligibility assessment proceeded accordingly."
Ki Dong-min has not issued an official statement regarding the Nomination Committee's decision. A representative from Ki Dong-min's side said, "We understand that Ki Dong-min will make a statement after the Strategic Nomination Committee's discussions conclude."
Hong Young-pyo, the incumbent Democratic Party assemblyman for Incheon Bupyeong-gu Eul, whose constituency was transferred to the Strategic Nomination Committee, expressed opposition through social media on the same day, saying, "'Designating Incheon Bupyeong Eul as a strategic constituency is unfair,'" and added, "The strategic constituency designation clearly means 'We will do whatever it takes to block Hong Young-pyo.'" He said, "They gave me a zero score to push me into the deduction target, circulated an obscure opinion poll to shake the region, and delayed the announcement of the review," and added, "I will watch what basis and judgment the Strategic Nomination Committee will make. I will share my thoughts after the final announcement."
Meanwhile, a Nomination Committee official denied rumors about Lee Jae-jung's resignation, stating, "She is not resigning."
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