United Future Party Cuts Off Lee Chanyul for Supporting 'Fast-Track' Bills... Jung Byungguk Decides Not to Run

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, reporter Lee Jieun] The United Future Party has cut off (excluded from nomination) lawmaker Lee Chanyul, who took the lead in handling fast-track bills such as the amendment to the Public Official Election Act and the establishment of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). Lawmaker Jung Byungguk, who ran for Yeoju and Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi Province, has decided not to run for office.

On March 9, Kim Hyungoh, chairman of the party's nomination committee, announced the nomination results for some newly established areas in Gyeonggi, Gangwon, and Sejong, as well as districts where candidates were re-selected due to redistricting, including this information.

In Suwon Gap, Gyeonggi Province, Lee Changseong, former head of the Suwon Gap district party committee of the Liberty Korea Party, was nominated as the sole candidate. In Suwon Mu, Park Jaesoon, former head of the Suwon Mu district party committee of the Liberty Korea Party, was also nominated as the sole candidate. Incumbent lawmaker Lee for Suwon Gap was cut off. Although he left the Bareunmirae Party and joined the United Future Party, his leading role in handling fast-track bills appears to have been a stumbling block.

When asked whether the handling of the fast-track bills was decisive in the cut-off, Chairman Kim said, "Just because an incumbent lawmaker was outside the Liberty Korea Party at the time of the merger, it does not mean they are automatically given a nomination," adding, "I cannot say whether (the fast-track issue) was decisive or not."

In Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, former lawmaker Shim Gyucheol was given priority nomination (strategic nomination), and in Yeoju and Yangpyeong, former Yangpyeong County Governor Kim Seongyo was recommended as the sole candidate. Lawmaker Jung, who ran for Yeoju and Yangpyeong, announced his intention not to run. Chairman Kim explained, "Lawmaker Jung made an absolute contribution to the unification process, and he said he would not run in order to uphold and preserve the spirit of unification until the end. He expressed his gratitude, saying he would endure everything to contribute not only to physical unification but also scientific unification and victory in the general election."

In Chuncheon, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, and Yanggu-eul in Gangwon Province, former lawmaker Han Giho received priority nomination, and in Sejong Gap, lawmaker Kim Jungro received priority nomination.

In Sejong Eul, where the candidate was re-selected due to redistricting, Kim Byungjun, former acting chairman of the Liberty Korea Party, was given priority nomination. In Incheon Jung-gu, Ganghwa-gun, and Ongjin-gun, Bae Junyoung, chairman of the Incheon Economic Research Institute, was nominated. In Incheon Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu Gap, lawmaker Jun Heekyung was nominated, and in Dong-gu and Michuhol-gu Eul, lawmaker Ahn Sangsoo was given priority nomination.

In addition, in Chuncheon-si, Cheorwon-gun, Hwacheon-gun, and Yanggu-gun Gap in Gangwon Province, lawmaker Kim Jintae was nominated; in Donghae-si, Taebaek-si, Samcheok-si, and Jeongseon-gun, lawmaker Lee Cheolgyu was nominated; in Sokcho-si, Inje-gun, Goseong-gun, and Yangyang-gun, lawmaker Lee Yangsoo was nominated; in Andong-si and Yecheon-gun, North Gyeongsang Province, Kim Hyeongdong, deputy director of the Korea Federation of Trade Unions Central Legal Affairs Office, was nominated; and in Sangju and Mungyeong, North Gyeongsang Province, lawmaker Lim Ija was nominated.

The nomination committee decided to accept additional applications on March 10 for Hongcheon, Hoengseong, Yeongwol, and Pyeongchang in Gangwon Province; Yeongju, Yeongyang, Bonghwa, and Uljin in North Gyeongsang Province; and Gunwi, Uiseong, Cheongsong, and Yeongdeok in North Gyeongsang Province.

Regarding the controversy arising mainly among lawmakers who failed to secure nominations, Chairman Kim emphasized the value of unity. He said, "If you were going to run as an independent after failing to secure a nomination, you shouldn't have applied for nomination in the first place. Although there may be various personal grievances, what matters now is not whether a particular individual receives the nomination, but whether liberal democracy prevails." This appears to be a reference to former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joonpyo's remarks about not accepting the nomination results. Chairman Kim stressed, "I believe conservatives will show the spirit of unity and join the cause."

With nominations nearly complete in all regions except Honam, Chairman Kim was asked about the theory of Kim Mooseong being deployed to Honam. He replied, "We are still discussing matters other than those announced today," declining to comment further.

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