Democratic Party Strategically Nominates Gangbuk-gu E, Cancels Jeong Bong-ju's Nomination... Park Yong-jin Fails to Succeed Nomination

Suncheon-si, Gwangyang-si, Gokseong-gun, Gurye-gun Gap Primary Election Fraud Leads to Nomination Cancellation
Seocho-gu Gap Kim Hanna, Ansan-si Byeong Park Haecheol Nominations

The Democratic Party of Korea decided on the 16th to select a new candidate for the Seoul Gangbuk-gu Eul constituency, where former lawmaker Jeong Bong-ju's nomination caused controversy over a 'false apology,' through a strategic primary election. The nomination succession for former lawmaker Park Yong-jin, who had competed against Jeong in the primary, was not carried out.

The Democratic Party leadership invalidated Jeong's nomination during a late-night Supreme Council meeting on the same day. Additionally, Gangbuk-gu Eul was designated as a strategic electoral district.

The Democratic Party stated, "Regarding former lawmaker Jeong, due to issues of morality such as a false apology to a soldier injured by a wooden landmine, he is deemed unsuitable to be recommended as a public office candidate. Therefore, pursuant to Article 30 of Party Regulation No. 10, the recommendation of candidate Jeong Bong-ju for Seoul Gangbuk-gu Eul is invalidated." They added, "The relevant electoral district is designated as a strategic electoral district, and it was resolved to hold a strategic primary election. Candidate applications are open without restriction, and the Strategic Nomination Management Committee will proceed with specific schedules and related procedures."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, in July 2017, former lawmaker Jeong sparked controversy by saying, "You know something cool in the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)? Ankle landmines. We should enter the DMZ and hold a raffle. Give crutches to those who step on ankle landmines." Subsequently, Jeong claimed he "apologized over the phone" regarding the remark, but he was criticized for making a false explanation as he did not apologize to the soldiers injured by wooden landmines in reality.

Initially, lawmaker Park filed for a retrial. He opposed moving to a strategic primary election method, citing problems with the previous primary. Although the Democratic Party stated that "anyone can apply" for the strategic primary, it remains to be seen whether Park will participate.

Additionally, the Democratic Party Supreme Council canceled the nomination of lawyer Son Hun-mo, who was nominated for the Jeonnam Suncheon-si, Gwangyang-si, Gokseong-gun, and Gurye-gun Gap electoral district, and decided to nominate Kim Moon-soo, a special advisor to the party leader, citing confirmed primary election fraud.

Lawyer Kim Han-na was nominated unopposed for Seoul Seocho-gu Gap, and Park Hae-cheol, chairman of the National Public Industry Labor Union Federation, was nominated unopposed for Gyeonggi Ansan-si Byeong.