Independent 'My Way' Surges... Hong Joon-pyo Says "Hwang Kyo-ahn + Kim Hyung-o, Bully Nomination"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Won Dara] The United Future Party has carried out a relatively thorough reshuffle, but the aftermath is not insignificant. If a large number of independent candidacies materialize, it could act as a decisive adverse factor by splitting the votes.

Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo is scheduled to hold a press conference on the afternoon of the 9th at the Yangsan campaign office in Gyeongnam to officially announce his position. In addition to Gyeongnam Yangsan-eul, where he was dropped from the nomination, and his hometown areas of Miryang, Uiryeong, Haman, and Changnyeong, he is reportedly also considering some parts of Daegu. His statements on Facebook that day support this. He said, "The thug-like nomination carried out in collaboration between Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn's side and Kim Hyung-oh, the nomination committee chairman, is evident not only in my case but also in the Daegu nominations." This is also proof of his great anger, as he poured out harsh words calling the party leadership he belongs to 'thugs.'

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Tae-ho already stated on the 8th, "The nomination committee made a really bad decision," and added, "I never imagined running as an independent... I plan to leave the party temporarily." He will run as an independent in his hometown areas of Gyeongnam Sancheong, Hamyang, Geochang, and Hapcheon. The possibility of an independent election alliance among prominent politicians from the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam (PK) region cannot be ruled out.

Other candidates who were dropped from nominations in the Yeongnam region are also considering running as independents. Daegu Dalseo-gap lawmaker Kwak Dae-hoon said on Facebook on the 8th, "I will definitely prove how disastrous the Dalseo-gap nomination was and that it was a secret, unfair nomination."

Gyeongbuk Gumi-gap lawmaker Baek Seung-joo and Daegu Buk-gu-gap lawmaker Jung Tae-ok are also increasing the possibility of running as independents. In particular, Representative Jung claimed, "Yang Geum-hee was given a single nomination instead of me, but Yang supported the mixed-member proportional representation system and even has a track record of working hard to make Sim Sang-jung president." In the PK region, Kim Han-pyo, a lawmaker from Geoje, Gyeongnam, who was cut off, has filed for a rehearing.

The Democratic Party is also experiencing growing pains, with cases like party leader Lee Hae-chan, who was cut off four years ago but ran as an independent and was reinstated, being recalled. Min Byung-doo, a lawmaker from Seoul Dongdaemun-eul who was cut off amid controversy over a 'Me Too' allegation, said on Facebook on the 9th, "I will announce my final position on the 15th." Min is a three-term lawmaker who has been elected twice in his constituency. The day before, he said, "I read the statement written by Leader Lee Hae-chan four years ago. I feel the same way."

In the statement issued on March 15, 2016, Lee said, "The Kim Jong-in emergency committee is trying to gloss over this as a political judgment. Politics is not done that way. The decisions of a political party must have justification." This is the same day Min said he would announce his position.

Lawmakers who lost in the primaries are also taking legal steps. Lawmaker Yoo Seung-hee, who lost in the primary, filed a petition with the court for evidence preservation and verification regarding the primary process. Shin Kyung-min, who lost to former Democratic Research Institute Director Kim Min-seok in the Seoul Yeongdeungpo-eul primary, said, "As an incumbent lawmaker, I have decided not to stand beside the nominated candidate."

Meanwhile, former lawmaker Jung Bong-ju and independent lawmaker Son Hye-won founded the 'Open Democratic Party' on the 8th. Even if they themselves do not run, they intend to compete with the Democratic Party through this party.

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