'Sachun Controversy' Kim Kyung-yul Ultimately 'Not Running'

Kim "Decision for Party's General Election Victory After Careful Deliberation"
Resolving 'Sacheon Controversy' and 'Procedural Unfairness Controversy'

Kim Kyung-yul, a member of the People Power Party Emergency Committee who had announced his candidacy for Mapo-eul, Seoul under the pretext of ‘clearing out the ’86 activist faction,’ suddenly declared his withdrawal from the race, which the ruling party interprets as a choice to resolve party-government conflicts.

Kim Kyung-yul, Emergency Response Committee member of the People Power Party, is deep in thought during the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 5th. Photo by Yonhap News

Lee Tae-gyu, a member of the People Power Party and head of the pledge planning team, appeared on ‘SBS Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show’ on the 5th and said, “Regarding Kim’s candidacy for Mapo-eul, there were criticisms and uncomfortable disputes such as ‘it’s a rigged nomination’ and ‘procedurally unfair,’ and I think he decided not to run to clear all of that up.”

Lee said, “Judging from Kim’s past actions, he is someone who has clearly expressed his opinions and acted according to his convictions without hesitation when criticizing problems,” and added, “I don’t think he would decide whether to run or not based on demands from others regarding his candidacy.” He further added, “I believe he comprehensively considered that by declaring his withdrawal, he would also be supporting Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Committee Chair.”

Hong Seok-jun, a member of the People Power Party and head of the party’s pledge development headquarters’ regulatory reform task force (TF), appeared on YTN Radio’s ‘News King Park Ji-hoon’ on the same day and said, “It cannot be said that the rigged nomination controversy had no influence on Kim’s decision to withdraw from the general election,” adding, “Mapo is a region where Jeong Cheong-rae of the Democratic Party of Korea is strong, so it is by no means an easy place.”

Hong said, “In fact, it wasn’t even a nomination offer; Han Dong-hoon only mentioned to Kim’s side that he would run, but some criticize that Han’s mention itself gave too much support, even if Kim were to compete in a primary against Kim Seong-dong, the local party committee chair,” and interpreted, “It seems Kim declared his withdrawal out of his own belief that the image of a fair nomination, which is the most important theme of the party’s current nomination, should not be tarnished.”

Earlier, on the 4th, Kim Kyung-yul declared his withdrawal from the general election on his Facebook, saying, “After careful consideration, this is my decision for our party’s victory in the general election,” and “I will devote myself solely to my role as an Emergency Committee member with a light body.”

Kim’s intention to run for Mapo-eul was revealed through Emergency Committee Chair Han Dong-hoon at the Seoul City Party’s New Year meeting on the 17th of last month, sparking a rigged nomination controversy. Additionally, Kim was pointed out as the person who triggered party-government conflicts by demanding a public statement from President Yoon Seok-youl and his wife regarding the suspicions of luxury handbag acceptance involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee.

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