Lee Seok-yeon Dismisses 'Sacheon Controversy'... "Why Does the Election Committee Chairperson Demand the Nomination Rights?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Lee Seok-yeon, Vice Chairman of the Public Official Recommendation Committee, dismissed the 'Sacheon controversy' surrounding Kim Hyung-o, Chairman of the Committee. Regarding rumors that the election campaign committee demanded nomination rights, he drew a clear line, saying, "Why would the election campaign chairman ask for nomination rights?"

On the 12th, just before entering the United Future Party's Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly main building, Vice Chairman Lee told reporters, "Would I or other committee members tolerate Sacheon?" and added, "We should not be shaken by such speculative reports one by one, and later voters will judge with their votes."

Regarding reports that Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the Democratic Party and a strong candidate for election campaign chairman, is demanding some nomination rights, he responded, "Why would the election campaign chairman ask for nomination rights?"

Earlier, concerning Representative Hwang Kyo-ahn's decision to partially reconsider the committee's decisions, he maintained the principle, saying, "If the Supreme Council has objections to the committee's decisions, it can request reconsideration from the committee, and the committee can discuss the reconsideration again according to the party's constitution and regulations."

The committee had previously stated that even if lawmakers apply for a retrial, it is difficult to change the results. Regarding the Supreme Council's request for reconsideration, he said, "Our committee will (initially) discuss it, and everything will be done transparently according to the party's constitution and regulations." About the relationship with the election campaign committee, he said, "They are separate organizations," adding, "The committee will proceed with the nomination process and complete it according to the party's constitution and regulations."

After reporting to the Supreme Council, he again emphasized the principle to reporters, saying, "If the Supreme Council has objections, they can request reconsideration according to the party's constitution and regulations, and the committee will discuss it again accordingly." Regarding the possibility of reversing already nominated districts, he said, "The committee needs to discuss it," adding, "When we have discussed so far, we have carefully considered and referred to the public's standards."

Additionally, Vice Chairman Lee stated, "The party has asked to pay special attention to the Honam region," and explained, "In a situation aiming to be a nationwide party, we must field candidates in Honam, and since the Ahn Cheol-soo Party is not fielding district candidates, it is necessary to attract Honam voters critical of the current administration."

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