Three Incumbents from 'Ahn Cheol-soo Faction' Interview with United Party... Kim Byung-joon and Lee Jong-gu Also Outline Regions

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Three proportional representation members classified as Ahn Cheol-soo faction (Kim Sumin, Shin Yonghyun, Kim Samhwa) participated in the Future United Party's nomination interview on the 1st. Former emergency committee chairman Kim Byungjun and Lee Jonggu, who gave up his stronghold Gangnam-gap, also took interviews on the same day, revealing the outlines of their constituencies.

Kim Sumin, Kim Samhwa, and Shin Yonghyun attended the United Party's nomination committee interview held at the National Assembly on that day.

Among them, Shin, who was the first to be interviewed, revealed to reporters immediately after the 10-minute interview that he applied for nomination in Daejeon Yuseong. He said, "Since a four-term member came out from the Democratic Party there, questions such as why that place is considered a Democratic Party stronghold were asked," adding, "I emphasized that I decided on re-election early and started local activities early, so I am also preparing local pledges."

Next, Kim Sumin, who took the interview, has declared her candidacy for Chungju Cheongwon. After the interview, she said, "The main interview content was about what kind of activities I did as a local committee chair for about two years and how the local political situation has changed compared to four years ago," and added, "There were no separate questions about Representative Ahn Cheol-soo." It is known that Kim Samhwa expressed her intention to run for Goyang-si Byeong, Gyeonggi Province.

Interviews were also held on the same day for former Bareunmirae Party members who have already defected to the United Party. Lee Dongsup, who declared his candidacy for Nowon-e, said, "I emphasized that I have the most competitiveness because I am a Honam native and have been the Democratic Party chairman for 13 years in a place where the Democratic Party has an absolute advantage."

Lim Jaehoon, who is aiming to run for Anyang Dongan-gap, said, "There was a painful question about whether I supported the fast-track process last year," adding, "At that time, I honestly said that I voted in favor as a matter of loyalty to the organization since I had just entered the assembly, and I said I would do my best to become a family member." This implicitly acknowledges that the handling of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office Act and the election law centered on the mixed-member proportional representation system was wrong.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Former chairman Kim Byungjun and Lee Jonggu, who expressed their intention to run in difficult constituencies, also took interviews on the same day.

At the interview, former chairman Kim focused on running in Sejong City, and Lee focused on running in Gyeonggi Gwangju-eul, discussing with the nomination committee. Kim said right after the interview, "We talked a lot about Sejong City," adding, "I mentioned that it might be time to redesign Sejong City and that someone like me could raise issues."

Lee also said, "(I) coordinated with the nomination committee for Gyeonggi Gwangju-eul," adding, "I said I would mobilize my organization and network well in Gangnam-gap to help former ambassador Tae Youngho settle in smoothly."

In addition, Kang Hyosang, who expressed his intention to run in a tough district in Gangbuk, also took an interview that day. Former candidate Park Jongjin, a broadcaster who ran as a Bareunmirae Party candidate in Songpa-eul during the 2018 by-election, also participated in the interview. He is considering running in Incheon Seo-gu-gap constituency.

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