Ruling and opposition parties cancel nominations of Dotae-woo and Jeong Bong-ju on the night of the 14th
Han Dong-hoon appears to have made a decision ahead of his 'Gwangju visit'
Lee Jae-myung also makes 'second vote' remarks... Strategic review for Gangbuk-gu Eul
As the general election approaches, the 'verbal slip risk' has emerged as a variable. Both ruling and opposition parties have canceled the nominations of candidates who caused problems. However, as verbal slip issues among other figures continue, the controversy is expected to persist.
On the night of the 14th, the People Power Party canceled the nomination of lawyer Do Tae-woo (Daegu Jung-gu and Nam-gu), and the Democratic Party canceled that of former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju (Seoul Gangbuk-gu Eul). Lawyer Do sparked controversy by belittling the May 18 Democratic Movement in a 2019 YouTube video, stating that "it is common sense that the issue is whether North Korea was involved." Former lawmaker Jeong was criticized for mocking soldiers who were seriously injured in the 2015 landmine incident with remarks made ahead of the 2017 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, suggesting "let's give crutches as prizes to people who step on ankle landmines in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)."
Attorney Do Tae-woo (left) and former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju, who had their nominations canceled due to controversial remarks.
Both parties were not initially tough in their response. Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, until the afternoon of the previous day, distanced himself by saying, "If there is a mistake, it is a matter of how to judge if one sincerely reflects and changes." However, it seems they hurriedly resolved the issue ahead of a visit to Gwangju that day. It is said that Lee Jae-myung, the leader, also agonized until the last moment over ousting Jeong, who is part of the pro-Lee faction.
Although they drew the sword belatedly, the embers remain. Verbal slip issues among other candidates continue to surface. The People Power Party's former Supreme Council member Jang Ye-chan, who is pro-Yoon, has been criticized repeatedly for his remarks. He was previously involved in a controversy over 'praising orgies,' and a newly revealed 2012 Facebook post stated, "Considering only the civic consciousness and cultural level (of our country), I wonder if we can even reach the level of a Japanese person's toenail clippings."
The 'verbal slip controversy' is even more painful for the Democratic Party. On the 8th, during a campaign activity in his constituency, Gyeyang-gu Eul, Incheon, Leader Lee burst into laughter toward a young man he met at a restaurant, saying, "Surely not a 2 pick, not a 2 pick." '2 pick' is a mocking term for people who voted for President Yoon Seok-youl, who was candidate number 2 in the last presidential election. Conscious of the controversy, Lee urged at the Central Election Committee meeting on the 13th, "All candidates and members of our Democratic Party, including myself, must be more cautious with our words and actions going forward."
Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung is appealing for support from citizens during his visit to Sejong Traditional Market in Jochiwon-eup, Sejong City on the 14th. [Image source=Yonhap News]
Both parties are considering new candidates for the constituencies where nominations were canceled due to 'verbal slip controversies.' Jang Dong-hyuk, secretary-general of the People Power Party, said regarding former Supreme Council member Jang Ye-chan, "We will observe while considering various circumstances such as the content of the remarks, the problematic points, and how they are perceived by the public."
The Democratic Party plans to review whether to designate the Seoul Gangbuk-gu Eul constituency as a strategic district. However, incumbent lawmaker Park Yong-jin, who competed in the primary, has demanded a re-examination rather than strategic designation, so discord is expected to continue.
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