[June 3 Local Elections] Park Jiwon: "No Exceptions in Nominations, Even for My Own People"... Focus on Election Law and Principles

102nd "Geumgwiwolrae": Park Strengthens Unity Among Haenam, Wando, and Jindo Candidates

Expresses Heartache Over Independent Candidates Unable to Rejoin the Party

Says "I Never Forget Support, but Nominations Are Separate," Dismissing Favoritism Rumors

"Whenever I receive calls from candidates who were unable to rejoin our party during the reinstatement process, it pains me deeply. I cannot help but feel regret every time I see promising candidates who, as a result of failed reinstatement, are forced to run as independents."

Amidst an urgent political climate with the results of the 1st and 2nd rounds of the Democratic Party of Korea's screening for basic local government heads in the 9th Nationwide Local Elections (the June 3 local elections) being announced, prospective candidates from Haenam, Wando, and Jindo in South Jeolla Province gathered together to regroup and strengthen their resolve.

At 8 p.m. on the 20th, the "10th Meeting for Prospective Candidates in the June 3 Local Elections for Haenam, Wando, and Jindo" was held at National Assemblyman Jiwon Park's Haenam office. The meeting was attended by a large number of major prospective candidates from the region, including Assemblyman Jiwon Park—who visited his constituency as part of his 102nd "Geumgwiwolrae (Returning Home with the Moon)" visit—as well as Myung Hyun-kwan, the Mayor of Haenam County, among others.

The meeting took place at a pivotal juncture, with the 1st and 2nd announcements of the Democratic Party's screening results for basic local government heads being released. In addition, the final matchups and specific methods for the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate selection process for basic local government heads in Haenam, Wando, and Jindo were finalized and communicated to the prospective candidates.

Representative Jiwon Park is speaking at the "10th Meeting for Prospective Candidates for the Local Elections in Haenam, Wando, and Jindo," held at Park's Haenam office. Photo by Joonkyung Lee

According to the finalized nomination process, the matchups for each region are as follows. In Haenam County, three candidates—Kim Sungju, Myung Hyun-kwan, and Lee Gilwoon—will compete in the primary. The primary will be determined by combining 50% from party members with voting rights and 50% from a weighted random phone survey; if no candidate receives a majority, a runoff will be held.

In Wando County, five candidates—Shin Euijoon, Woo Hongseop, Lee Cheol, Ji Youngbae, and Heo Goonghee—will first compete in a preliminary round. This round will be determined by 100% of votes from party members with voting rights, after which the field will be narrowed down to three candidates for the main primary. The main primary will also use a combination of 50% party members and 50% weighted random phone survey, and if no candidate secures a majority, a runoff will be held.

In Jindo County, the race has been set as a two-way contest between Kim Injeong and Lee Jegak. The final candidate will be selected by combining 50% from party members with voting rights and 50% from the weighted random phone survey.

◆Special Advisor Incheol Hwang: "Even 20 Automated Text Messages Sent Unintentionally Can Be Grounds for Prosecution"

On this day, Special Advisor Incheol Hwang issued a stern warning by highlighting concrete examples of violations of election law that campaign staff and candidates are prone to make in the field.

Special Advisor Hwang stated, "Simply registering as a preliminary candidate does not exempt you from illegal campaign activities," and strictly prohibited civil servants from engaging in electioneering. He emphasized that while verbal campaigning is permitted indoors and outdoors around the clock, the use of microphones is strictly forbidden before the official campaign period.

He especially warned about sending text messages and posting banners. Special Advisor Hwang explained, "To prevent indiscriminate campaigning based on financial resources, sending text messages that incur costs is strictly limited. Sending up to 20 messages at a time for free from one's personal phone is allowed, but sending messages in batches of 20 using automated programs constitutes a serious illegal act that will result in immediate prosecution and investigation."

He added, "A candidate's name must never appear on a banner, not even for ceremonial content." On the other hand, he noted that campaign activities through social media—which are less affected by wealth disparity—are currently permitted without restriction.

Member of Parliament Jiwon Park, who embodies the 102nd principle of 'Geumgwilwolla (Returning Gold, Arriving Moon)', is discussing current issues with prospective candidates at the Haenam office on the 20th. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

Regarding the screening process for nominations, he stated, "Even those deemed ineligible can be granted exceptions with a two-thirds vote from the nomination committee, but a penalty point system has been implemented. Depending on whether one is competing against female or first-time candidates, the standards for awarding extra points may differ, in accordance with party regulations," signaling strict administrative management based on party rules.

◆Assemblyman Jiwon Park: "Even After the Election Ends, People Remain... There Are No Exceptions to the Central Party's Principles"

Continuing his 102nd "Geumgwiwolrae (Returning Home with the Moon)" visit, Assemblyman Jiwon Park began by sharing the achievements of judicial reform.

Assemblyman Park said, "We overcame the People Power Party's filibuster and passed the Prosecution Service Act. If the Serious Crimes Investigation Agency Act also passes, the authoritarian prosecution system will disappear after 78 years," urging the judiciary and prosecution to remain steadfast.

He went on to emphasize the importance of relationships to the prospective candidates. He said, "Elections will pass and end, but people remain. Since we must continue to meet each other in this community, I ask everyone to make concessions and engage in fair play."

Candidates gathered at the Haenam office on the 20th ahead of the June 3 local elections are listening attentively to the remarks of Representative Park Jiwon. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

In particular, Assemblyman Park dismissed recent rumors about the nomination process circulating in the region and expressed deep regret for those unable to join. He stated, "I will never forget the gratitude I owe to those who have supported me. However, I am sorry, but that does not automatically translate into nominations."

He added, "It pains me deeply to see candidates who, despite being qualified, could not join the party, and those who have to run as independents because their reinstatement was denied. However, there can be no exceptions to the central party's principles," he asserted firmly.

Finally, Assemblyman Park said, "It truly breaks my heart to think about those who will be eliminated in the primaries, but once the general election arrives, let's unite as one team—including those who were not nominated—and create opportunities for victory together. Even if your nomination is finalized, there have been cases where candidates have been disqualified by the central party due to minor mistakes, so I urge everyone to work hard and remain vigilant until the very end."

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