"Is the People Power Party's System Nomination Correct?" Lee Ju-hwan of Busan Yeonje Files Objection with the Nomination Committee

Former Lawmaker Kim Hee-jung's Side Continues Spreading False Information
Kim Knew in Advance About 20% Reduction
Lee's Side: "Public Office Committee Has Not Responded Yet"

On the 7th, Lee Joo-hwan, a member of the People Power Party, announced that he submitted an objection letter to the Nomination Management Committee on the 4th, requesting a re-election.

Lee, the incumbent lawmaker of Yeonje District in Busan, was excluded from the nomination (cut-off) after losing the primary against former lawmaker Kim Hee-jung, a two-term representative, at the end of last month. However, Lee's side claimed that Kim's camp continuously spread false information during the campaign period and was aware in advance of the deduction applied during the nomination screening process, demanding an explanation from the Nomination Management Committee.

Lee Ju-hwan, Member of the People Power Party (Source: Office of the Member)

This primary was the third contest between Lee and Kim, showing somewhat overheated competition. In the 20th general election primary, Kim won, while Lee won in the 21st general election primary. During this primary process, on the 25th of last month, the Nomination Management Committee issued a warning sanction against Kim for spreading false information. However, according to Lee's side, Kim's camp continued to spread false information despite the committee's warning. The content included statements such as "The party sent a signal to candidate Kim Hee-jung" and "Lee Joo-hwan has a 20% deduction." Lee's side regarded Kim's actions as false statements and candidate defamation under the Public Official Election Act and filed complaints with the police and the Election Commission for violations of the Public Official Election Act and defamation.

Lee also claimed that Kim's camp was aware of the Nomination Management Committee's screening process in advance. In the actual primary opinion poll, Lee received 51.54% in the general public survey and 57.4% in the responsible party members' survey, totaling 54.34%. However, as Kim's camp claimed, after applying a 20% deduction, Lee received a final 43.47%, losing the primary. In response, a representative from Lee's side said, "We have asked the Nomination Management Committee several times about the reason for the deduction, but the committee has not yet provided an answer."

Lee is currently waiting for a response from the Nomination Management Committee and the party leadership. Lee said, "During my four years of legislative activity, I was recognized three times as an excellent member in the National Assembly audit, and among the lawmakers in the three regions of Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongnam, and Gangwon, I ranked first in the number of bills passed." He added, "I pledged to accept a fair primary result, but I never pledged to tolerate illegal and unfair interference in the primary." He further stated, "If the nomination is confirmed based on distorted primary opinion poll results due to Kim's serious illegal and unfair acts, the purpose of the People Power Party's proclaimed fair system nomination will be undermined."

Regarding this, Kim's camp stated, "We have no special position," and "The candidate is quietly doing his best for regional harmony and victory in the general election."