Reasons Why Prosecutor Nomination Rumors Are Emerging Even About Kim Ki-hyeon's Wife

The Democratic Party's Suspected Purge of Incumbents in Yeongnam Region for Next Year's General Election
"History of Party Affairs Interference Raises Doubts"

Regarding the rumors that a large number of former prosecutors will be nominated in next year's general election, Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, clearly stated, "'There is not even a trace of the idea of a 'prosecutor kingdom.' The intention of Yongsan, and the president as well, is the same," drawing a clear line.

However, within the ruling party, rumors continue to circulate that many incumbent lawmakers will be replaced and prosecutors will be nominated. In particular, the recent case of Representative Hwang Bo-seung-hee (Busan Jung·Yeongdo), who left the party amid allegations of violating the Political Funds Act and personal life controversies, is speculated to be a signal for a purge of incumbent lawmakers.

Representative Hwang declared that she will not run in next year's general election following this incident. Busan, including Hwang's constituency, and the Yeongnam region are strongholds of the ruling party and are considered constituencies where prosecutor nominations are expected. It is speculated that former prosecutors with no political experience and low recognition will be sent to these areas, where they are likely to win if nominated.

In response, on the 21st, at a discussion hosted by the Newspaper and Broadcasting Editors Association, Kim Ki-hyun dismissed the rumors, saying, "Many people say that orders come down from Yongsan to select and parachute candidates, and that prosecutors will be randomly placed here and there, but that will not happen."

Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on the 100th day since taking office as party leader at the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, pointed out that such rumors stem from the "victim mentality of existing politicians." In a KBS radio interview, Kim said, "The Yeongnam region is somewhat easy to win. However, the process of receiving nominations is very tough in that area," adding, "There is a misconception that someone with no competitiveness can win the primary there and the nominating authority can send whoever they want."

He continued, "There is anxiety that after working hard for four years, if someone parachutes down from above, I will be helpless. Because of this, such rumors keep emerging. But the president has made it clear that he will not do such things at all," he added.

However, some argue that the ruling party's past actions have contributed to these rumors and speculations. Former Blue House National Communication Secretary Park Soo-hyun said on SBS's 'Pyeon Sang-wook's News Briefing,' "Look at the process of the party convention where Kim Ki-hyun was elected. They removed former leader Lee Jun-seok and sidelined prominent candidates like Na Kyung-won and Yoo Seung-min to establish Kim Ki-hyun."

He added, "Considering such processes, the presidential office strongly intervenes in party affairs. Given the history and current conditions, it is natural to suspect that President Yoon Seok-youl, a political novice without his own faction in Yeouido, has a basic desire to plant his close aides in Yeouido," he said.

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