Guk-him Cancels Nomination of Park Il-ho Over 'Misconduct Allegations'... Kim Hee-taek Unopposed Nomination in Yeosu-eul

"Park Il-ho Judged to Fall Short of Moral Standards"
'Cutoff Controversy' Lee Chang-geun Competes in Primary in Hanam-eul

The People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee canceled the nomination of former Miryang Mayor Park Il-ho, who was implicated in bribery charges. In Yeosu-si Eul, Jeollanam-do, Kim Hee-taek, the head of the People Power Party's Jeonnam Provincial Party External Cooperation Committee, was nominated unopposed, leading to expectations that the People Power Party will field candidates in all constituencies nationwide in this general election.

People Power Party's Jeong Young-hwan, Chair of the Nomination Management Committee, is announcing the results of the 18th meeting at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 8th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the morning of the 8th, Jeong Young-hwan, chairman of the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee, announced the results of the 18th meeting and the nominations at the central party office in Yeouido. The committee decided to cancel former Mayor Park's nomination and plans to recommend preliminary candidate Park Sang-woong as a replacement to the emergency committee for reapproval. Former Mayor Park is currently under prosecution for bribery charges during his tenure as Miryang mayor. Chairman Jeong stated, "After hearing the explanations and testimonies of the related individuals, we judged that he did not meet the moral standards emphasized by the People Power Party." He added, "Although the allegations were identified during the nomination process, it was within the limits of what could be investigated by the media or other means. We called in stakeholders the day before to hear their opinions directly and made a final judgment. This is not a criminal issue but a matter of morality."

In Hanam-si Eul, Gyeonggi Province, former Seoul city spokesperson Lee Chang-geun and former Seoul deputy mayor Kim Do-sik will compete in a primary. Lee, classified as part of the Oh Se-hoon faction, was reportedly overwhelmingly superior in competitiveness evaluations within Hanam-si Gap but was controversially cut off from the primary. In Buk-gu Eul, Busan, a four-way primary will be held among Kim Hyung-wook, former National Intelligence Service head of cyber security and scientific information planning; Park Sung-hoon, former secretary to the President's Office for national planning; Son Sang-yong, former vice chairman of the Busan City Council; and Lee Soo-won, former secretary to the Speaker of the National Assembly.

In Yeosu-si Eul, Jeonnam, Kim, the head of the External Cooperation Committee, was nominated unopposed. If the People Power Party fields candidates only in the Damyang, Hampyeong, Yeonggwang, and Jangseong districts, it will have candidates in all 254 constituencies nationwide. Chairman Jeong said, "Filling all constituencies for the first time in 16 years has special significance," adding, "If Honam voters make a strategic decision to allocate one constituency each in Jeonnam, Jeonbuk, and Gwangju to the People Power Party, it will greatly help regional development and communication."

In Bucheon-si Gap, Gyeonggi Province, Kim Bok-deok, senior vice chairman of the People Power Party's Finance Committee, and in Yongin-si Eul, Gyeonggi Province, Lee Sang-cheol, former chief of staff of the Ground Operations Command, received strategic nominations. Chairman Jeong said, "Lee was strategically nominated because he is a native of the region."