Choo Kyung-ho "Not Appropriate to Mention" Avoids Direct Answer
Concerns Grow... Ruling Party Lawmakers Actively Defend
Lee Cheol-gyu Calls Yoon-Lee Jun-seok Conflict "Out of Place"
Following Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform New Party (then leader of the People Power Party), mentioning that President Yoon Suk-yeol referred to candidate nominations in some regions during the June 1, 2022 local elections and parliamentary by-elections, there is a cautious atmosphere within the People Power Party about the expansion of the scope of nomination interference allegations. This is because if the scope expands to cover the entire local elections, it could have a ripple effect on the ruling party.
On the morning of the 15th, after a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, People Power Party floor leader Choo Kyung-ho was asked by reporters about the allegations of President Yoon's interference in nominations raised by Lee. He responded, "I have no knowledge of this at all," and added, "I think it is inappropriate for me to comment on this now."
Earlier, Lee, who accompanied Speaker Woo Won-shik on a diplomatic visit and returned via Incheon International Airport, made a revealing statement to reporters, saying that President Yoon, during his president-elect period, mentioned a specific mayor in the local elections and also referred to candidates for district heads in Seoul. He also stated that in the Bundang-gap by-election, Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo was given a sole nomination, and Assemblywoman Kim Eun-hye was recommended as the candidate for Gyeonggi Province governor.
On the 10th, Yoon Seok-yeol, the president-elect, received a congratulatory bouquet from Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, at the People Power Party's campaign committee disbandment ceremony held at the National Assembly Library. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group
Since political broker Myung Tae-gyun and Lee, who was then the leader of the People Power Party, differ significantly in credibility, People Power Party lawmakers immediately took to media interviews to actively clarify the situation. So far, they have defended the issue as merely President Yoon expressing his opinion regarding the nomination of former Assemblyman Kim Young-sun, but there is a sense of crisis that if the fallout grows, managing the situation could become more difficult.
Lee Cheol-gyu, a key pro-Yoon faction lawmaker, appeared on MBC Radio that day and called the allegations "absurd," questioning, "Looking back at the situation from the presidential election process to the president-elect period, was it possible for the president-elect to convey such opinions to Lee Jun-seok?" He implied that President Yoon would not have discussed nominations with Lee, who had been in conflict with him throughout the election period and after his victory.
Kim Yong-tae, who was a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party during the 2022 local elections and once part of the pro-Lee Jun-seok faction known as 'Cheon-A-Yong-In,' also appeared on MBC Radio the previous day and said, "(It seems) this was said to divert attention from the allegations involving Mr. Myung," adding, "At that time, the then leader and Public Official Election Committee Chairman Jeong Jin-seok were often seen shaking hands and cheering together in front of the public, so suddenly hearing such remarks is bewildering," distancing himself from the claims.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
