Hwang Kyo-an "Nomination Decision, Partial Review Including TK... Not Influenced by Kim Jong-in" (Comprehensive)

Lee Seok-yeon, Vice Chairman of the Party Affairs Committee, "Will Handle According to Party Rules"

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Amid growing backlash against the United Future Party's candidate nominations, party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn expressed his intention to reconsider some decisions, including those related to Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK). Regarding speculation about the influence of former Democratic Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in, who is considered a strong candidate for the election campaign committee chairman, Hwang firmly denied any external influence.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly main building on the 12th, Hwang stated, "Seeing continuous issues raised both inside and outside the party, I have come to think that some of the decisions made by the nomination committee need to be reconsidered."

He added, "Although the nomination committee has made great efforts, some unfair cases have been pointed out, and there is considerable internal opposition. While no nomination can be perfect, I believe some adjustments are necessary to unite our will and achieve a landslide victory in the general election." He continued, "As party leader, I ask the Supreme Council to discuss this matter in depth, and I urge the nomination committee chairman and members to actively and openly consider the party's position."

The regions for which Hwang requested reconsideration included Yeongnam. After the Supreme Council meeting, he told reporters, "I haven't examined it by region, but it seems that TK and the Yeongnam area are included." When asked if there was a request from former emergency committee chairman Kim, he emphasized, "This decision was made after thorough review at today's Supreme Council and based on the judgment of the council members. There was no external influence."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "This nomination committee has made many efforts for fair and innovative nominations, but as you know, no nomination can be perfect, so a thorough discussion was necessary, which is why the request for reconsideration was made. Specifically, there were accusations of unfairness, and thus a need to discuss those points again." Regarding allegations of 'sacheon' (secret nominations) involving nomination committee chairman Kim Hyung-oh, he stated, "I believe it did not go that far," adding, "The judgment was made based on objectively provable grounds."

Lee Seok-yeon, vice chairman of the nomination committee, who attended the Supreme Council meeting, told reporters, "If there are objections to the nomination committee's decisions at the Supreme Council, a request for reconsideration can be made to the nomination committee, which can then discuss the reconsideration according to party rules," affirming that discussions will proceed according to principles.

Meanwhile, at the Supreme Council meeting, Hwang called for measures such as corporate tax cuts in response to the economic freeze caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). He said, "The KOSPI briefly fell below 1900 points, and the global economy is experiencing a Black Monday, signaling that the Wuhan coronavirus could lead to a Wuhan economic crisis," adding, "We need to implement bold measures temporarily, such as corporate tax cuts and differentiated minimum wage application by industry."

He also continued his criticism of the ruling party. "Despite the mountain of issues to address, they are only obsessed with the greed for parliamentary badges. They said there would be no proportional party, but they are easily contradicting themselves," he said. "Taking advantage of this gap, they are looking for excuses to reopen the Kaesong Industrial Complex. Instead of being distracted, they should hasten the declaration of Daegu-Gyeongbuk as a special disaster area."

He further pointed out, "The number of countries restricting entry to our citizens has exceeded 110. In a country that relies on exports, if overseas entry is blocked, the economy will enter a state of collapse," criticizing, "The incompetent diplomacy of an incompetent minister is becoming a decisive negative factor."

Hwang also emphasized support for vulnerable groups threatened by COVID-19. He said, "The life crises faced by low-income disabled people, dual-income families, grandparent-headed households, and single-parent families are surpassing our daily lives," adding, "Careful support for vulnerable groups and customized measures by industry and sector are necessary."

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