Former Seoul City Councilor Lee Hyun-chan Opposes Eunpyeong-gu 'Single Nomination'... "Difficult to Accept Nomination During Investigation"

Protest Held in Front of Democratic Party Headquarters
Under Investigation for Distributing Apology Boxes, Demanding Primary Election

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] In the Seoul Eunpyeong-gu mayoral election, former Seoul City Council member Lee Hyun-chan, who was cut off from the race, opposed the central party's decision to nominate Kim Mi-kyung as the sole candidate for Seoul Eunpyeong-gu and demanded a primary election.

On the 25th, Lee held a press conference in front of the Democratic Party headquarters and said, "It is dangerous to nominate the current Eunpyeong-gu mayor Kim Mi-kyung as the sole candidate," adding, "Mayor Kim is under investigation by the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency's Anti-Corruption Investigation Unit for distributing apple boxes to hundreds of local residents during this year's Lunar New Year holiday. Summons investigations targeting those who received the apple boxes have also begun."

He raised concerns, saying, "Despite the ongoing police investigation targeting the mayor, it is difficult to understand the reason for nominating Mayor Kim as the sole candidate while depriving other candidates of the opportunity to compete in a primary."

He also expressed distrust in Mayor Kim's side's explanation. He pointed out, "Mayor Kim's side claims that 200 people received the apple boxes and that all were 'joint purchases,' but according to the list secured by the police, the number of local residents and public officials who received the apple boxes reaches as many as 350."

He continued, "Mayor Kim's side paid for the apple boxes purchased in January only in March," adding, "Their explanation is that they were worried the apples might rot, so they confirmed before making the payment, and that the account number was provided late. This is not reasonable to anyone."

Candidate Lee expressed, "I repeatedly urge the selection of the Democratic Party candidate through a fair primary based on common sense and principles."

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