Overcoming the 'Kkokkomu Controversy' and Entering Yeouido... Yang Moon-seok and Kim Jun-hyuk Speak in Unison

'Controversial Remarks' Kim Junhyuk Wins Election in Suwon Defeating Lee Soojeong
"I Apologize to Many Who Felt Uncomfortable"
'Illegal Loan' Yang Moonseok Elected in Gyeonggi Ansangap
"Should Have Been Careful of Small Mistakes... Apologies"

In this general election, candidates from the Democratic Party of Korea in the Gyeonggi region, who were embroiled in controversies such as offensive remarks and illicit loans, were elected despite pressure to withdraw. Conscious of overcoming the so-called "kkokkumu" controversies, which involved a series of linked scandals, they uniformly mentioned "apology" and "repentance."

Kim Jun-hyeok, the Democratic Party candidate running in Suwon-jeong, Gyeonggi, narrowly defeated Lee Soo-jeong of the People Power Party after a tight race. Kim won with 69,881 votes (50.86%), beating Lee, who received 67,504 votes (49.13%), by a margin of 2,377 votes.

Kim Jun-hyeok, the Democratic Party candidate running for Suwon-jeong in the 22nd National Assembly election, is celebrating as his victory becomes certain on the morning of the 11th at the campaign office in Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Kim became embroiled in controversy immediately after his nomination was confirmed due to past remarks. In August 2022, he appeared on a YouTube channel and said, "Kim Hwal-ran played a major role in sending comfort women to the military," adding, "During the U.S. military government period, she made Ewha Womans University students provide sexual services to U.S. military officers." Also, in February 2019, he made remarks on a YouTube broadcast implying that former President Park Chung-hee had sexual relations with Japanese military comfort women, which led to a defamation lawsuit by the bereaved families.

Despite calls from various sectors urging his resignation, Kim ultimately secured a seat in the National Assembly. In his victory speech, Kim said, "I apologize to many people who felt uncomfortable with my past remarks and writings, and I will continue to work for the development of the region."

Yang Moon-seok, the Democratic Party candidate running for the 22nd National Assembly election in Ansan Gap, is watching the vote count broadcast at the election office in Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si, Gyeonggi-do on the afternoon of the 10th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Yang Moon-seok, the Democratic Party candidate in Ansan-gap, Gyeonggi, who was suspected of illicit loans, was also elected. Yang won with a final vote share of 55.62%, defeating Jang Sung-min of the People Power Party, who received 44.37%, and entered the National Assembly.

Yang was embroiled in controversy over an 'illegal loan suspicion' after purchasing an apartment worth over 3.1 billion won in Jamwon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, in 2020, by taking out a business loan of 1.1 billion won under the name of his then-college-aged daughter. As the controversy grew, Yang announced he would sell the apartment to repay the problematic loan. Additionally, Yang was reported to the election commission for false statement of facts under election law for underreporting his assets by more than 900 million won.

In his victory speech, Yang said, "As a politician, I should have been cautious even about small illicit acts and mistakes, and I sincerely apologize to the public and the residents of Sangnok-gu, Ansan, for not thoroughly checking these matters." He added, "(The underreporting of assets) was a simple mistake by a staff member during the hectic process of handling and preparing documents. I will adequately prepare and discuss this matter with the court."