'Park Won-soon Sexual Assault Allegations' Controversy Over Seoul Mayoral Candidate's Remarks Before Ruling Party's Investigation Ends

Kim Boo-kyum "Amend Party Rules if Necessary to Nominate Seoul and Busan Mayoral Candidates"
Kwon In-sook "Democratic Party Needs to Nominate Female Mayoral Candidates as a Reflection"
Joo Ho-young "Democratic Party Mentioning Nominations Is Not Showing a Reflective Attitude"

Lee Hae-chan, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader, are listening to a speech at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As opinions emerge within the Democratic Party of Korea regarding the candidate for the Seoul mayoral by-election scheduled for April next year, voices of criticism are also rising. Although the Democratic Party's constitution stipulates that no candidate should be nominated if a position is lost due to a serious wrongdoing, various opinions about election preparations have surfaced, leading to accusations that the party is overturning its own rule. There is also criticism that the party is downplaying the severity of the case involving former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon, who took his own life amid reports of sexual violence allegations.

The Democratic Party's constitution states, "The party shall not recommend candidates in by-elections or re-elections held due to the loss of office by elected officials of the party because of serious wrongdoing such as corruption."

Because of this, there was an opinion within the Democratic Party that it would be appropriate not to field candidates in the by-elections caused by former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don and former Mayor Park.

However, as the by-elections, held one year before the next presidential election, have grown into a "mini presidential election" due to the vacancies in the Seoul and Busan mayoral offices, calls within the Democratic Party to "amend the party constitution and field candidates" are emerging.

Former lawmaker Kim Boo-kyum, who is running for the next party leadership election, argued that the party should nominate candidates if party members demand it. On the 14th, he appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" and said, "Since this election is to choose the heads of the capital and the second-largest city, the party's important fate is at stake," adding, "The views of party members who have worked hard in the regions are the most important." He emphasized, "If a candidate is nominated, there must be a public apology and explanation."

On the 15th, Kim also reiterated on his Facebook post that the decision to nominate candidates would be made according to party members' opinions. Regarding the nomination of candidates for the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections, he said, "If necessary, I will amend the party constitution." He added, "If the party members' will is to nominate, I will bow to the public, apologize, and ask for understanding."

The portrait and urn of the late Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, are heading to the hearse on the afternoon of the 13th at Seoul Memorial Park in Seocho-gu, Seoul, after cremation, to be transported to Mayor Park's hometown, Changnyeong, Gyeongnam. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Some have also expressed the opinion that a female candidate should be nominated. Democratic Party lawmaker Kwon In-sook appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" that day and said, "Having a woman rise as a leader might be an active solution to the problems of our society's overall forest and stereotypes, and the lack of understanding of one's own power."

When asked, "Are you suggesting that nominating female candidates for both Seoul and Busan mayoral positions could be a compromise option?" she replied, "Yes."

However, the opposition party strongly criticizes such moves by the ruling party. They argue that if the ruling party truly reflects on the successive sexual scandals, it should not field candidates according to the Democratic Party's constitution.

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, is speaking at a members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 15th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, emphasized that the Democratic Party should not field candidates.

At a party meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Joo said, "The Democratic Party's constitution states that the party shall not recommend candidates in by-elections held due to the loss of office by elected officials of the party because of serious wrongdoing such as corruption," adding, "President Moon Jae-in also said during his time as party leader that candidates should not be nominated."

He continued, "However, there are already talks within the Democratic Party saying 'sexual crimes are not corruption' and 'let's amend the party constitution and nominate candidates.' This attitude is truly pathetic if the party is reflecting on itself. The public will see the Democratic Party's hypocrisy and double standards clearly and judge accordingly," he said.

Meanwhile, Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman, predicted that the United Future Party would have the upper hand in next year's by-elections. At a discussion hosted by the Gwanhun Club held at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, Kim said, "Considering public perception related to Mayor Park's death and the sour public sentiment surrounding real estate issues, if the United Future Party presents appropriate measures, it could receive considerable support."

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