Controversy Over Choi Ji-eun, New Recruit, Holding United Party Membership for 10 Years

Verification During General Election Candidate Registration
Choi "Not True... Will Announce Position Soon"

[Asia Economy Reporters Park Cheol-eung and Jeon Jin-young] It has been revealed that Choi Ji-eun, the international spokesperson and a recruited talent for the April 15 general election from the Democratic Party of Korea, held membership in the United Future Party for over 10 years, sparking controversy. She is a former senior economist at the World Bank and ran for the Busan Bukgangseo-eul district in this general election but was defeated by Kim Do-eup, the United Future Party candidate. She is currently serving as the Democratic Party's international spokesperson.

Choi Ji-eun, the 9th recruit of the Democratic Party of Korea, attended the welcoming ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 16th and expressed her thoughts on joining the party. Choi is an international economic expert serving as a senior economist in charge of China at the World Bank, leading the "China Fiscal Modernization Project" and the "Support Project for the Establishment of the 14th Economic Development Plan." Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

In a statement released on the 19th under the name "Members and voters of Bukgangseo-eul supporting the Democratic Party," it was stated, "Spokesperson Choi has been confirmed as a responsible member of the United Future Party," adding, "It was confirmed that she joined the Hannara Party Seoul City Branch in February 2010. Party dues were transferred and withdrawn for 10 years until March 2020 from a phone registered under the candidate's name used by her mother." They claimed, "It is surprising how the dual party membership was not filtered out during the talent recruitment or strategic nomination process. We plan to send a certificate demanding a fact-finding investigation to the central party. The nomination itself will be null and void."

A representative from the Busan Election Commission told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "During the verification of Choi’s documents submitted on March 25, one day before the candidate registration deadline, her membership in the United Future Party was confirmed," adding, "She resigned from the United Future Party on the same day and registered as a Democratic Party candidate on the 26th."

It is known that Choi joined the Hannara Party (now the United Future Party) in February 2010. A Busan Election Commission official said, "The commission can only verify through documents, so we do not know the circumstances," and added, "There are cases where party membership is confirmed during the candidate registration process without the candidate’s knowledge."

Choi told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "It is not true that I joined," and said, "I will organize and announce my position within today." A representative from Choi’s side said, "The Busan City Party is currently reviewing an investigation and disciplinary action against the author of the statement."

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