Kang Ki-yoon Campaign Committee Urges Immediate Halt to Political Maneuvers by Groups Disguised as Civic Organizations

Sim Kyu-tak Must End Negative Campaigning and Pleas for Unification Without Policy Proposals


Suspicions Raised Over the Motives Behind the Joint Accusation Group's 'Baseless' Complaints

The election campaign committee for Kang Ki-yoon, the People Power Party's candidate for mayor of Changwon, Gyeongnam (hereafter referred to as "the campaign committee"), on May 7 called for an immediate halt to the low-level political maneuvers being carried out by certain groups masquerading as civic organizations and disrupting the electoral landscape.

In a statement released on the same day, Kang Ki-yoon's campaign committee said, "As the 9th nationwide local elections approach, the activities of 'invisible hands' attempting to undermine the overwhelming momentum of People Power Party candidate Kang Ki-yoon are becoming increasingly blatant." The committee added, "The current situation, in which organizations and candidates with clear political leanings are joining forces to inflate baseless suspicions and repeatedly file complaints, constitutes a clear case of election interference that damages the fairness and integrity that elections ought to uphold."

Kang Gi-yoon, the People Power Party candidate for mayor of Changwon, Gyeongnam Province, is delivering a passionate speech at the opening ceremony of his election office.
Photo by Song Jong-gu

The committee strongly condemned what it called "outdated political tactics that cloud the judgment of Changwon citizens," stating that: △ 'political maneuvers' disguised as civic groups are acts that insult the spirit of Changwon; △ negative campaigning and pleas for candidate unification without any policy proposals must immediately stop; △ the reality behind the so-called 'Roadmap to Take Down Kang Ki-yoon' will ultimately be judged by the voters.

The committee further criticized, "On May 7, the so-called 'Joint Accusation Group,' consisting of 15 organizations including the 'Gyeongnam Association for the Succession of the June Democratic Uprising Spirit' and the 'Kim Ju-yeol Memorial Association,' filed a complaint with the police against candidate Kang Ki-yoon. We cannot help but question the intention of these organizations, which claim to uphold noble historical values, as they take the lead in last-minute complaints with an attitude of 'just filing regardless of the facts' at the end of the election period."

The committee went on to say, "Although Mr. Kang has repeatedly stated the allegations are groundless and the National Election Commission is already investigating, packaging the issue as if a crime has already been confirmed and taking it to the police is nothing but a calculated political ploy to frame him as a criminal."

Additionally, the committee criticized Sim Kyu-tak, the New Progressive Party candidate, saying, "Instead of promoting his own policies, candidate Sim is fixated on lowbrow noise marketing, attacking the leading candidate daily to attract attention. Declaring his intention to unify with the Democratic Party and urging other candidates to withdraw is tantamount to admitting that he is nothing more than a 'tool for unification' with no genuine interest in the livelihoods of Changwon citizens, as well as a mere auxiliary force for a particular party." The committee demanded, "Rather than cowardly political deals, candidates should face the judgment of citizens with confident policy proposals."

The committee continued, "The current Changwon mayoral race is fiercely contested between candidate Kang Ki-yoon and the Democratic Party candidate. At this critical juncture, minor candidates and pro-Democratic organizations launching coordinated attacks further prove the existence of the so-called 'Roadmap to Take Down Kang Ki-yoon' that has been discussed in some quarters." It added, "No attempt to distort the election outcome by spreading inaccurate reports and amplifying suspicions can prevent the wise choices of Changwon's citizens."

The committee concluded, "Civic groups must stop acting as self-appointed 'judges' and refrain from political intervention. We call on all candidates to engage in a genuine contest of policies aimed at the development of Changwon. Candidate Kang Ki-yoon pledges to stand with the citizens of Changwon to the very end, overcoming all schemes that undermine fair elections and safeguarding justice and the future of Changwon."

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