Korean Party, "Park Young-sun's Support for Yoon Gun-young, a Second 'Ulsan Mayor' Incident"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The Liberty Korea Party criticized Minister of SMEs and Startups Park Young-sun and former Blue House National Planning Situation Office Chief Yoon Gun-young for their Christmas Day luncheon, calling it a "second Ulsan mayoral election interference incident."

Kang Yo-sik, chairman of the Liberty Korea Party's Guro-eul district committee, stated this at a press conference titled "Blue House-Park Young-sun-Yoon Gun-young: Election Connection" held on the morning of the 9th at the National Assembly Press Hall. Kang had previously competed against Minister Park in the 19th and 20th general elections and lost, and registered as a preliminary candidate last month aiming for a political comeback.

Kang claimed that Minister Park and former Chief Yoon attended a service at a large church located in Guro 3-dong on Christmas last year, were introduced in front of the congregation, and later that day gathered about 20 key officials of the Democratic Party's local committee at a restaurant in Guro 5-dong, where Yoon was personally introduced and had lunch together. He argued that this constituted "acts leading to election campaigning" and potentially violated Article 85 of the Public Official Election Act.

He also pointed out that it is hard to view President Moon Jae-in's visit to Guro Digital Complex, located in the Guro district, on the first day of the registration for preliminary candidates for the 21st general election last year as a coincidence.

Kang said, "Minister Park and former Chief Yoon, both public officials, blatantly engaged in pre-election campaigning, violated the political neutrality obligation of public officials, and interfered in the election, which is a second Ulsan mayoral election interference incident." He added, "A thorough investigation must be conducted regarding the violations of the Public Official Election Act."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.