Kim Hyung-o "Hwang Kyo-ahn's Candidacy Requires Further Deliberation... Disqualification Criteria Strengthened Compared to Before"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Hyung-o, the nomination committee chairman of the Liberty Korea Party, stated that he would give more careful consideration regarding Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn's candidacy region. He also announced that the standards for excluding unqualified candidates during the nomination process would be strengthened compared to the 20th National Assembly, including those involved in real estate speculation, illegal gifts, tax evasion, drunk driving, and nationality scandals involving their children.

After holding the 6th plenary meeting at the National Assembly main building on the 5th, Chairman Kim told reporters, "The discussion has been concluded," adding, "The conclusion is that I will take more time to carefully consider and make a decision after having in-depth one-on-one conversations with the nomination committee members."

He explained, "There may be things the committee members could not say at this meeting," and "This will include not only Representative Hwang but also the handling of other top-level candidates including him." Chairman Kim added, "Since they are senior party members, there are parts that the committee members could not express during the plenary meeting," and "Due to time constraints, I thought it necessary to listen to the stories that were not shared during the plenary meeting."

Regarding Representative Hwang's strategy to run in Jongno, he said, "Several lawmakers have expressed their opinions," and dismissed the possibility of replacement candidates such as Representatives Jeon Hee-kyung and Hong Jung-wook, who have been mentioned in the media, saying, "It has not gone that far." He also denied rumors of him not running, stating, "It has not progressed to that stage."

Meanwhile, at the plenary meeting that day, the nomination committee discussed strengthening the criteria for disqualification from nomination. They decided to exclude from nomination those involved in illegal real estate accumulation and illegal gifts that cause a sense of deprivation among the public, as well as those who committed tax evasion. Additionally, individuals caught even once for drunk driving after the enforcement of the Yoon Chang-ho Act, and those involved in nationality scandals related to children for overseas childbirth or military service evasion, will also be excluded from nomination.

Chairman Kim said, "The disqualification criteria have become stricter than those for the 20th nomination," and added, "We will identify unqualified candidates through materials submitted by the candidates themselves and through tips." He emphasized that they would also identify cases of 'Cho Kuk-type corruption,' such as admission and recruitment scandals involving children and relatives, through tips. Regarding the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region, where a large-scale reshuffle was anticipated, he stated, "We will first review the public opinion survey results and then decide on detailed policies."

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