Yeo Party Presidential Election, 'Jeon Gwaja' Filtered... Cutoff Around the 10th of Next Month

"Public Office Candidate Nomination Criteria to be Applied for Review
Candidate Qualification Review Scheduled for 2 PM on the 5th of Next Month"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The People Power Party has decided to conduct a qualification review by checking candidates' criminal records at the March 8 party convention. The cut-off (preliminary screening) is scheduled for around February 10, and the joint speeches and broadcast debates will begin around February 13.

The Central Election Commission of the People Power Party held its 4th meeting on the morning of the 17th at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, and discussed this matter. Jang Dong-hyuk, a member of the Election Commission and its spokesperson, told reporters after the meeting, "We decided to hold a meeting regarding candidate qualification review at 2 p.m. on February 5 after candidate registration," adding, "Regarding candidates with criminal records, the standards applied for public office candidates are stipulated in the party constitution and regulations. We will verify criminal records based on those standards."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the Election Commission resolved to post the candidate registration announcement on the website on the 31st and accept candidate registrations for the party convention over two days, February 2 and 3.

Jang said, "The commission itself is not conducting background checks, but we are exploring ways to verify criminal record information in some manner," and added, "If candidates submit their own disclosures and discrepancies are later found, further discussion is needed on what sanctions should be imposed."

Regarding the introduction of criminal-related qualification screening, Jang explained that there was no disagreement among the commission members. He said, "Since these are the party's top executives and representatives, all members agreed that at least the qualification standards should meet those of public office candidates."

The Central Election Commission's eligibility criteria for public office candidates stipulate that individuals who have been sentenced to imprisonment or higher and whose sentences have not been extinguished, those fined 5 million won or more within the past five years, those with suspended sentences confirmed within the past ten years, and those who have completed or been exempted from imprisonment within the past ten years are disqualified from candidacy.

Additionally, the upcoming party convention will hold seven joint speeches and four broadcast debates for party representatives. Jeju has been newly added as a location for the joint speeches, starting there and concluding in the metropolitan area. Jang said, "There will be one broadcast debate for youth supreme council members and supreme council members, which may be held using the party's YouTube channel."

He continued, "Although not finalized, the cut-off is expected to take place around February 10, and joint speeches and broadcast debates will roughly begin around February 13."

If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes on the party convention day, March 8, a runoff vote will be held. A two-person debate will take place on the 9th, followed by mobile and ARS voting on the 10th and 11th, respectively, with the final winner decided on the 12th.

Jang said, "Discussions on the number of candidates to be cut off and the method will be specifically addressed at the meeting on the 26th."

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