Democratic Party to Announce Final Results for Seoul Gangbuk-gu E on Evening of 11th
‘Bimyeong Faction Leader’ Former MPs Park Yong-jin vs. Jeong Bong-ju Face Off
Concerns Rise Again Over ‘Pro-Myeong Victory, Bimyeong Defeat’ Controversy
The final trigger in the Democratic Party's nomination turmoil is the runoff result in Seoul Gangbuk-gu Eul, drawing attention. This is because Park Yong-jin, classified as a representative dissident figure, is facing off against former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju. Since Park competed with leader Lee Jae-myung for the presidential and party leadership, aftershocks are expected depending on the vote count results.
The Democratic Party Central Election Commission will announce the runoff and strategic electoral district primary vote count results around 8 p.m. on the 11th. Park Yong-jin and former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju are conducting the runoff in Seoul Gangbuk-gu Eul until that day. The results reflect 50% each from party members' votes and general public opinion polls. Park secured re-election in the last general election with 64.5% of the vote, the highest among Democratic Party candidates in Seoul at that time. He was also elected in the 20th general election, his first entry into the National Assembly, with a majority vote of 51.1%.
Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Yong-jin is expressing his position on the nomination screening on the 22nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
However, this time the situation is not easy. Park was included among the bottom 10% of incumbent lawmaker evaluations, resulting in a 'deduction penalty' of about 30% applied to his primary votes. A 30% deduction penalty is effectively a fatal penalty equivalent to disqualification (cutoff) from nomination. For Park to win despite the penalty, he must secure an overwhelming 59% or more of the vote in the runoff. Another burden is that Lee Seung-hoon, vice chairman of the party's Strategic Planning Committee and one of the three initial primary candidates, declared support for former lawmaker Jeong before the runoff.
Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was indicted on charges of making false statements during the presidential election process, is looking at his watch before stating his position prior to attending the continuation of the first trial for violation of the Public Official Election Act at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu on the morning of the 8th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
If Park is eliminated, the controversy over 'dissident sudden death' could flare up again. Considering Park's symbolic status as a potential next presidential candidate, the frame of 'removal of political opponents' could negatively affect securing moderate voters in the general election.
The fact that Park's opponent is former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju is also a burden for the party. If Jeong wins, there is a high possibility of being framed as 'pro-Lee Jae-myung faction,' and concerns are raised that his past actions could be a weakness in the general election. He was excluded in the last general election due to 'MeToo allegations,' which also caused controversy during this preliminary candidate qualification screening. Although the Supreme Court acquitted him of sexual harassment charges in 2021, the civil court ruling on this case stated, "This does not mean that the fact of sexual harassment was proven to be untrue." This implies that disputes remain.
Park appeared on SBS Radio that day, saying, "I believe a great turnaround will happen," while also stating, "Despite various criticisms, unfairness, and hardships, I will remain in the party."
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