People Power Party, Gangwon Governor Race Between Kim Jin-tae and Hwang Sang-mu... 'Single Nomination → Primary Election' Reversed

Kim Haeng, Spokesperson for the Party Affairs Committee, "Judged Former Lawmaker Kim's Apology to Be Sincere"
Primary Election Scheduled for 21st-22nd

Former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Jin-tae is holding a press conference on the 18th at the protest site in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, apologizing for his remarks related to the May 18 Democratic Uprising and Buddhism. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Gyumin] The People Power Party’s Nomination Management Committee decided on the 18th to hold a primary election to select the candidate for Gangwon Province governor in the June 1 local elections.

Kim Haeng, spokesperson for the Nomination Committee, said at a briefing that afternoon, “Former lawmaker Kim apologized for his remarks related to the May 18 Democratic Movement and Buddhism, and we judged that his apology was sincere,” adding, “We believe that this sufficiently fulfills his political duty.”

Kim also stated that the primary election is scheduled to be held from the 21st to the 22nd.

Originally, former KBS anchor Hwang Sang-moo was nominated unopposed as the candidate for Gangwon governor, but former lawmaker Kim Jin-tae, who had been cut off, regained a chance, leading to a two-way primary contest between ‘Kim Jin-tae and Hwang Sang-moo’.

When asked about the possibility of Hwang Sang-moo raising objections, Kim said, “We cannot change the scheduled primary dates,” and added, “Any candidate can raise objections, but we will do our best to conduct the primary as quickly as possible within the scheduled timeframe.”

The Nomination Committee announced that it would reconsider the nomination if former lawmaker Kim issued a public apology for his past problematic remarks. Kim promptly complied with the apology request.

In 2015, former lawmaker Kim stated that ‘law enforcement should be deployed’ regarding the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism’s acceptance of Han Sang-gyun, chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, for protection. In response, the Jogye Order recently demanded Kim’s immediate resignation from the candidacy.

Additionally, in 2019, Kim received a warning from the central party for his ‘controversial remarks’ about the May 18 Democratic Movement.

Regarding this, Kim said in his apology, “I bow my head and sincerely apologize to the great monks and Buddhists nationwide,” and “I bow my head and apologize to the people. I promise never to engage in any actions that distort the essence of the May 18 Democratic Movement again.”

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