Is Running Mate with Former Party President a Violation of Party Constitution and Rules?

Yoon Sang-hyun "Running Mate, Ranking Close and Pro-Yoon"
Seo Byung-soo "Where in the Party Charter or Rules Is Such a Clause?"

Yoon Sang-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, urged the party's election commission to take action against other candidates forming running mates in the party convention. The election commission stated that there is no issue under the party constitution and regulations.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 25th, Yoon told reporters at the National Assembly, "Running mates violate the party constitution and regulations. You cannot line up party branch chiefs and members of the National Assembly to campaign," adding, "Election Commission Chairman Seo Byung-soo should make a decision. Please block the registration." He also criticized certain candidates who declared their candidacy by promoting running mates, saying, "In short, this is a pro-Yoon, pro-faction lineup. A situation more concerning than pro-Park or anti-Park factions will arise," and emphasized, "We must not be swayed by the lineup running mates. It will recreate the pro-Park and anti-Park behaviors and lead to mutual destruction."

Han Dong-hoon, a former emergency committee member of the People Power Party running for party president at the convention, formed running mates with Jang Dong-hyuk and Park Jeong-hoon, who are running for Supreme Council member, and Jin Jong-oh for the youth Supreme Council member. Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong formed running mates with In Yo-han and Kim Min-jeon (Supreme Council members) and Park Jin-ho, the party branch chief of Gimpo Gap (youth Supreme Council member).

However, Chairman Seo stated that there is no problem under the party constitution and regulations. In a phone call that day, Seo said, "Where in the party constitution and regulations does it say that?" and added, "There is no mention of running mates in the party constitution and regulations. However, the party constitution and regulations prohibit party branch chiefs and members of the National Assembly who are not candidates from campaigning." He further added, "Party branch chiefs and members of the National Assembly who are not candidates must strictly adhere to that principle."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Seo also said, "Do candidates officially define themselves as running mates?" and explained, "Each campaigns individually." He added, "Based on past practices, such things have been somewhat tolerated as a matter of custom." Although media reports say that former Chairman Han and former Minister Won formed running mates, they have not officially defined themselves as running mates.

Meanwhile, another party presidential candidate, Na Kyung-won, said, "Running mate politics sounds like Yeouido slang," and added, "You must have seen Representative Choo Mi-ae and Jeong Cheong-rae running as running mates with Lee Jae-myung. I think it is too old-fashioned Yeouido politics."