[6.3 Election] Lee Wontak "Complicity in Insurrection" vs Kim Kwan-young "Double Standards" Battle Intensifies

Jeonbuk Governor Race Emerges as Fiercest Battleground Ahead of June 3 Election

As the June 3 local elections approach, the Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province governor race has emerged as the most hotly contested battleground, with tensions escalating between candidates Lee Wontak and Kim Kwan-young. Both sides are engaged in an all-out confrontation over allegations including proxy meal payments, cash handouts for driver fees, and controversies regarding responses to martial law. As a result, some point out that the Jeonbuk governor election is devolving into a mudslinging match focused more on tarnishing the opponent than on policy competition.

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On May 20, candidate Lee held a press conference at Jeonju City Hall, targeting Kim's past response to martial law, and asserted, "In times of crisis, elected officials have a grave duty to protect citizens' safety and democracy by resisting unjust directives from those in power."

He emphasized, referencing the December 3 Martial Law last year and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety's directives, "While candidate Kim said he followed the ministry's instructions at the time, those directives were clearly illegal. At the time, Governor Kim Dong-yeon and Mayor Kang Gi-jung refused the unlawful orders and prioritized protecting citizens."

However, regarding his previous allegations that Kim was complicit in insurrection, Lee took a step back, stating, "We have not found any evidence or indications of an intent to undermine the constitutional order."

Regarding the recent evaluation by a civic group that his nomination was "substandard," Lee downplayed its significance, saying, "It's just the group's assessment." He further stated that, moving forward with his campaign, "I will reach out to the residents with a focus on policies and vision, rather than engaging in attacks and criticism."

In contrast, Kim Kwan-young's election campaign committee immediately pushed back, criticizing Lee for "practicing double standards in politics—being ruthless toward the opponent while absolving oneself." In a statement released that day, Kim's team asserted, "In press conferences and televised debates, Lee continues to make political attacks based on the presumption of guilt, saying things like 'cash handouts for driver fees warrant arrest.'"

They countered, "Kim has consistently apologized regarding the driver fee incident and is cooperating faithfully with the police investigation. While we are humbly awaiting the outcome, the opposing candidate is maliciously labeling him." Kim's team also pointed out that the previous allegations of complicity in insurrection raised by Lee had ended with a special prosecutor's decision of no charges, urging, "He must take responsibility for his statement that he would stake his political career on the matter."

They further stated, "Even the Progressive Innovation Party apologized after the special prosecutor's conclusion, but only the Democratic Party candidate continues to make irresponsible excuses. This is outdated politics that fuels political distrust among Jeonbuk's 1.8 million residents."

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