People Power Party Says "Special Prosecutor Inevitable" Over Ruling Party Nomination Fund Allegations

The People Power Party has argued that a special prosecutor is inevitable to uncover the substantive truth behind the Democratic Party of Korea's alleged acceptance of nomination funds, stating, "It is necessary to introduce a special prosecutor to reveal the full extent of the situation, in which the party not only condoned money transactions for nominations but also granted nominations as a result."

Kim Byung-ki (left), Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Assemblyman Kang Sun-woo are attending the plenary session of the National Assembly and having a conversation on December 24, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the 3rd, Park Sunghoon, Chief Spokesperson of the People Power Party, said in a commentary, "Allegations of nomination fund transactions involving Democratic Party Assembly members Kang Sunwoo and Kim Byungki are snowballing," and delivered the following statement.

Chief Spokesperson Park stated, "Assemblywoman Kang confessed to former Floor Leader Kim Byungki (who was then the secretary of the party's nomination management committee) that she had received 100 million won from a district city council candidate ahead of the 2022 local elections, tearfully pleading for leniency. However, it was revealed that the very next day, she attended a meeting of the Democratic Party's Seoul City Party Nomination Committee and advocated for that candidate's nomination."

He continued, "Even though the nomination committee secretary pointed out the illegality and made it clear that the candidate was subject to disqualification, the candidate ultimately received the nomination. This was done to prevent the bribery from becoming public and negatively impacting the local elections. This case clearly demonstrates the systematic involvement of higher-level 'invisible hands,' and it is imperative that the truth be uncovered."

He added, "What is even more serious is that there are suspicions that this information was reported to Leader Lee Jaemyung ahead of the 2024 general elections but was ignored. The petition from district council members, which began with the phrase 'To Leader Lee Jaemyung,' was delivered to Kim Hyunji, an aide, through the staff of former Democratic Party Assemblywoman Lee Sujin. However, it is known that, without any particular action from Leader Lee at the time, the petition was simply passed to the party's ethics audit office and then to former Floor Leader Kim, who was serving as the verification committee chair."

Chief Spokesperson Park stated, "The fact that an internal report exposing organizational corruption and wrongdoing was not only ignored but also handed back to those implicated in the bribery allegations is clear evidence that the Democratic Party's self-correcting function has completely collapsed, and it is an act that severely undermines the trust in the party."

He also pointed out, "The former aides of ex-Floor Leader Kim submitted the district council members' petition to the police in November last year, but the police have reportedly yet to launch an investigation. Rather than conducting a thorough and swift investigation to transparently uncover the allegations, the authorities are instead sitting on the case."

Chief Spokesperson Park emphasized, "The Democratic Party leadership, seeking merely to weather the storm, expelled Assemblywoman Kang and requested disciplinary action against former Floor Leader Kim from the party's ethics tribunal. However, it is highly unlikely that a proper internal investigation will be conducted. In the case of the 100 million won nomination bribery allegations, the public cannot help but suspect that the entire Democratic Party nomination system operates as a corrupt cartel driven by money transactions, and that President Lee Jaemyung is the ultimate beneficiary of this system."

He continued, "Although the police claim they will now launch a full investigation, the public is well aware that, trying to avoid displeasing those in power, they will not dare touch those with real authority. If the Democratic Party truly intends to address the issue and clarify the facts, they should immediately announce their intention to introduce a special prosecutor."

In conclusion, Chief Spokesperson Park stated, "Please remember that evading a thorough investigation and responsibility will only lead to greater public resistance."