So Su-jin Resigns... Ahn Kyu-baek: "Still No to Park Yong-jin, Will Strategically Nominate"

"Park Yong-jin Has Already Had Two Chances... A Third One Is Difficult"

Oh Kyu-baek, chairman of the Democratic Party's Strategic Nomination Management Committee, announced that a third candidate, rather than runner-up Park Yong-jin, will be strategically nominated for the Seoul Gangbuk district seat vacated by the resignation of lawyer Jo Su-jin.

On the 22nd, Chairman Oh appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "As the candidate registration deadline approaches, full authority over party affairs has been delegated to the party leader," adding, "The party leader is currently listening to various opinions."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Previously, lawyer Jo defeated incumbent Park Yong-jin to become the Democratic Party candidate for Seoul Gangbuk in the April 10 general election, but controversy continued due to her history of defending sex offenders involving minors. Ultimately, on the 22nd, Jo announced her withdrawal from the candidacy via her Facebook page.

Chairman Oh stated, "Since today is the registration deadline, any form of primary election is impossible," and added, "It is very rare for a runner-up to win in a primary, so strategic nomination is possible." He continued, "In a typical general election nomination process, it is very rare for a runner-up to win," emphasizing, "And since the overall issue arose due to flaws or defects in the candidate, the principle is for a third person to be nominated."

Regarding the third candidate, he said, "Someone who is well-versed in existing party affairs and, as the election is now fully underway, can be immediately deployed to the field, capable of managing the organization and uniting party members and voters, would be most advantageous."

He effectively ruled out the possibility of Park receiving a strategic nomination. Chairman Oh said, "It is difficult for Park Yong-jin to be included among the candidates," and added, "In our party's 21st general election nominations, no one who was in the bottom 10% or 20%, or who was eliminated during the primary process, has ever been re-nominated unless in special cases." He further stated, "We look at the entire 254 constituencies to devise strategies, and the impact of one case can affect the whole country," adding, "No candidate who has already been given two chances in primaries has ever been given a third chance."