Son Hye-won "Im Jae-beom and Son Ji-chang Also Have Different Surnames" Ruling Party Proportional Representation Party Legitimate Lineage Debate

Jeong Cheong-rae Refutes Claim: "Not Saying DNA Tests Should Be Conducted Even on Namesakes"

Son Hye-won, Open Democratic Party member / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suwan] Amid the ongoing legitimacy competition between the Democratic Party's proportional representation party, the Deobureo Citizen Party, and the Open Democratic Party, Open Democratic Party lawmaker Son Hyewon emphasized that the Open Democratic Party is the legitimate successor of the Democratic Party by saying, "Im Jaebeom and Son Jichang even have different surnames." Singer Im Jaebeom and actor Son Jichang are half-brothers, both children of the late Im Taekgeun, former MBC announcer.

On this day, Son posted on her Facebook, "I hesitated, but I am going to say a few words," expressing this view.

Earlier, Choi Kangwook, a proportional representation candidate of the Open Democratic Party and former Blue House Secretary for Public Office Discipline, appeared on the radio on the 31st of last month and said to the Democratic Party, "After the election, let's verify through DNA testing who the real legitimate successor is." In response, Jeong Cheongrae, the Democratic Party candidate for Mapo-eul, posted on Facebook, "If the surnames are different, is there really a need for DNA testing?" Son responded to this.

On the same day, Jeong posted on his Facebook, "I hesitated but I am going to say this politely," adding, "There, it's Choi (Kangwook), and I am Jeong (Cheongrae). If the surnames are different like this, is DNA testing really necessary?"

He continued, "Deobureo (Democratic) and Yeollin (Open) have different surnames," pointing out, "Just because the last syllable of the name is the same doesn't mean they are from the same family or the same party."

He added, "There are many people with the same name, but demanding DNA testing for people with the same name is not reasonable. That would be a waste of time and money," and concluded, "I hope this general election is not like the cold wind at Heungnam Port."

Meanwhile, Son previously stated on the 27th of last month, "They say the Open Democratic Party is the legitimate heir or the illegitimate child of the Democratic Party, but we are the filial child," adding, "We are the filial child who is always ready to support our parents when the party is in trouble."

Son was cut off in the 2016 general election but ran and won in Seoul Mapo-eul, Jeong's constituency. However, after allegations of real estate speculation in Mokpo, she left the party and decided not to run in the April 15 general election.

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