'5·18 Denial' Ruling Party Nomination Canceled Do Tae-woo, Running as Independent

"I Will Uphold the Will of the Residents Who Chose Me in the Primary Election"

Attorney Do Tae-woo, whose nomination for the People Power Party in Daegu Jung-gu and Nam-gu was canceled due to controversial remarks belittling the May 18 Democratic Movement and other issues, announced on the 16th that he will run as an independent candidate after leaving the party.

In his statement on running, he said, "I will uphold the flag toward the 'advancement' of the Republic of Korea, honoring the precious will of the residents of Daegu Jung-gu and Nam-gu who trusted and chose me during the two primary elections." He added, "As a legal professional and politician, I have devoted all my passion to the freedom, democracy, and rule of law of the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "Participating as a defense attorney for former President Park Geun-hye, filing charges of treason against President Moon Jae-in after the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement, and taking action to indict Judge Yoo Chang-hoon, who dismissed the arrest warrant for Representative Lee Jae-myung in 2023, were all efforts solely aimed at protecting the freedom and democracy of the Republic of Korea."

Attorney Do stated, "Going forward, I will fulfill my duties more prudently and passionately as an unstoppable conservative worker defending the freedom and democracy of the Republic of Korea," and added, "I will once again prove that the choice of the residents of Jung-gu and Nam-gu in the April 10 general election was not wrong."

Attorney Tae-woo Do. Photo by Naver Profile Screen Capture

He had been confirmed as the candidate for Jung-gu and Nam-gu after defeating incumbent lawmaker Im Byung-heon in the People Power Party’s internal primary, but faced backlash after it was revealed that he had previously raised claims about North Korean involvement in the May 18 incident.

On the 13th, the People Power Party’s nomination management committee decided to maintain his nomination considering the "sincerity" of two apology statements he issued. However, after controversy arose over his attendance at the 2019 Taegeukgi rallies where he criticized former Presidents Moon Jae-in and the late Roh Moo-hyun with inappropriate expressions, the party reversed its position and canceled his nomination the following day.