Hong Moon-pyo Opposes Party Primary... "Gonggwanwi Must Verify President Kang Seung-gyu's Allegations Before Primary"

On the 20th, Hong Moon-pyo, a member of the People Power Party, urged the party’s nomination management committee to verify allegations related to Kang Seung-gyu, former Senior Secretary for Civil Society at the Presidential Office, who is competing for the party’s nomination in the general election. Hong also raised concerns about the deduction clause applied to three-term incumbents in the same electoral district.

During a press conference at the National Assembly on the same day, Hong demanded that the nomination committee launch a fact-finding investigation into allegations against former Senior Secretary Kang, including the distribution of ‘presidential watches’ and ‘meal expenses paid on behalf.’ He stated, "The nomination committee should have thoroughly verified the facts at their level, but so far, this has not been confirmed," and requested, "Please follow a fair procedure to clarify the facts regarding various illegal election-related allegations under investigation by the Election Commission, such as tourism, provision of food, and donations of money or goods to temples."

In addition, Hong called on candidate Kang to "reveal where and to whom the 10,000 presidential watches were distributed and disclose the source of the watch distribution."

Candidate Hong Moon-pyo, who is running for the leader of the People Power Party, is attending a debate held on the 8th at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Hyochang-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

He added, "I previously requested related measures through a letter to the nomination committee, but have heard nothing back," and urged, "Even now, before the public opinion polls begin, please proceed with a swift process."

At a meeting with reporters, Hong also expressed dissatisfaction with the rule applying a 15% deduction in votes for three-term incumbents in the same electoral district. He said, "For districts with three, four, or five-term incumbents, a 15% deduction is applied, but if Yongsan friends (candidates from the Presidential Office) enter that position, isn’t it just made to favor Yongsan friends?" and added, "It is unfair." He further mentioned, "It is not right for those who worked at Yongsan (Presidential Office) and received many benefits to receive additional benefits again," and gave an example, "For instance, senior secretaries should also receive penalties (deductions)."

In response, former Senior Secretary Kang’s side immediately refuted the claims in a statement. They explained, "As Senior Secretary for Civil Society, Kang held meetings with the public directly at the Yongsan Presidential Office and local sites," adding, "More than 10,000 people attended the meetings, and about 50 on-site meetings were held. After the meetings, souvenirs such as watches were provided to attendees following proper procedures." They also stated, "There was never any payment of tourism or meal expenses on behalf of others, nor any provision of money or goods to temples." Kang’s side said, "This can be easily verified by just searching the news," and expressed regret, "It is unfortunate to see lies being spread at a time just before the primary despite clear facts."

Additionally, Hong raised issues regarding the anti-reverse selection clause and demanded measures to address it.

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