Kim Dongyeon Camp Claims "Controversial Company Participating in Primary ARS Vote... Legitimacy Undermined"

"Company Accused of Unfair Practices in General Election Reenters Under New Name"
Park Beomgye: "No Issues Found with Service Contract"

On April 18, the camp of Kim Dongyeon, Gyeonggi Province Governor and a presidential primary candidate for the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed, "A company that was effectively excluded from last year's general election nomination process due to fairness controversies has simply changed its name and is now participating in this presidential primary, conducting ARS voting."

At an emergency press conference held that morning, Kim's camp stated, "An incident has occurred that shakes the trust in our party's primary," making this claim. Kim's camp pointed out, "We are suspicious about the identity of the polling company Signal & Pulse (formerly Research DNA), which is currently conducting the ARS survey of dues-paying party members."

Signal & Pulse is under suspicion of being the same company as 'Research DNA,' which was excluded from the Democratic Party's primary process during last year's general election due to fairness controversies, as both the CEO and the registered address are identical. Research DNA previously sparked controversy during the 22nd general election last year by conducting a primary poll in a constituency with an incumbent non-mainstream lawmaker, excluding the incumbent from the survey.

Kim's camp said, "This is unbelievable and unacceptable. Of all possible companies, why this one? Is our party's vetting process really this lax?" They added, "We are disappointed with the response of our party's election committee. They claim there is 'no procedural problem' and say they were unaware of the company's past record."

Yonhap News

They continued, "Did they really not know? That is impossible. If they truly did not know, it is a sign of serious incompetence; if they knew and concealed it, it is a grave crime that undermines the legitimacy of the primary itself." They emphasized, "As a public party, we must review whether a company has the experience and capability to conduct a presidential primary."

Kim's camp requested, "We call on Park Beomgye, head of the Democratic Party's election committee, and the party leadership to thoroughly uncover the truth and explain how such an absurd situation could have occurred." They also insisted, "If necessary, those responsible must be punished and appropriate measures taken. We ask that steps be taken to ensure the integrity of the primary process going forward."

In response, Park, the head of the election committee, announced, "The Democratic Party's election committee has determined that there is no problem with Signal & Pulse carrying out the presidential primary-related service contract." He added, "This company has been participating in party polling services since well before the last general election. Although it voluntarily withdrew from conducting the candidate suitability survey during the last general election, it was not sanctioned by the party for this."

He further stated, "Since then, the company has continued to carry out polling work for by-elections and other tasks, and was selected by lottery as one of five companies that applied for the service contract for this presidential primary."