Democratic Party's Kang Hoon-sik: "Kim Kyung-ryul's 'National Interviewer' Withdrawal, My Oversight for Not Considering the Controversy"

Nine candidates who have completed registration as preliminary presidential candidates for the Democratic Party of Korea attended the Fair Election and Gender Equality Pledge Ceremony and National Interview Press Day held at the Glad Hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 1st, shouting "Fighting" with the party leadership. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Kang Hoon-sik, co-head of the Democratic Party's presidential primary planning team, said "It was my fault" regarding the appointment and subsequent withdrawal of accountant Kim Kyung-ryul as a national interviewer.

On the 2nd, Kang appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "I had the awareness that we need to listen to critical voices. I had invited accountant Kim Kyung-ryul, and it is my responsibility as the head that I did not pay attention to the controversy surrounding him."

However, he added, "I believe that listening to critical voices and overcoming them is the role of the presidential planning team. Therefore, showing the public that the Democratic Party is trying to change is necessary for winning the presidential election."

He referred to the trial of Professor Jung Kyung-shim, wife of former Minister of Justice Cho Kuk. Kang said, "Regarding Minister Cho Kuk's private equity fund, weren't all of Kim Kyung-ryul's claims acquitted?" and added, "It was my fault that we did not examine the controversy over Kim Kyung-ryul previously presuming guilt and attacking him."

Democratic Party presidential candidate Jeong Se-gyun demanded the resignation of the planning team, but Kang said, "Since we need to be scolded first, if the candidate scolds us, we will accept it and carefully review everything again to strictly examine any mistakes around us." He also said, "I think we need to continue accepting harsh criticism."

Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, he criticized, "He appeared to be a rather bland candidate," adding, "Fairness was hollow, and his vision was insufficient."

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