Im Jong-seok: "Democratic Party Should Reconsider Cutoff... Final Position Depends on Supreme Council Decision"

Im Jong-seok, former Chief of Staff to the President, requested reconsideration on the 28th regarding the Democratic Party of Korea's strategic nomination of Jeon Hyun-hee, former Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, for Seoul Jung-gu and Seongdong-gu Gap district.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly on the same day, Im expressed his dissatisfaction with the rejection of the nomination request for Jung-gu Seongdong-gu Gap, asking, "Can we really win the general election if we proceed like this?" He demanded the withdrawal of the existing nomination decision, questioning, "Can we win the hearts of the people with only Representative Lee Jae-myung, while ignoring even the last bridge for unity?" He said, "I respectfully and earnestly ask the party leadership to reconsider the Strategic Nomination Committee's recommendation for Jung-gu Seongdong-gu Gap," and urged, "Please restore unity and integration and create a turning point for the Democratic Party to win the general election." He also added, "I will wait for the decision."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

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Im also stated, "I will speak again after hearing the Supreme Council's response regarding my final position," indicating the possibility of further decisions depending on the party's decision. In response to reporters' questions, he mentioned, "Former President Kim Dae-jung said politics is a living organism," suggesting that political decisions might be made depending on the situation.

During the press conference, he also revealed the story of being rejected despite his willingness to campaign in support during the presidential election. Im said, "During the last presidential election, I officially received requests from the Democratic Party's Seoul and Gwangju city branches to campaign in support," adding, "I readily accepted, but the presidential campaign team rejected it, so I could not move. Due to widespread rumors of conflict between pro-Lee Jae-myung and pro-Moon factions, warning signs were lit for the election, making it difficult to understand the rejection, but I had no choice but to appeal through SNS."

When asked whether he had communicated with former President Moon Jae-in regarding this issue, Im replied, "I will not answer," and added, "I think there will be an opportunity to respond next time."

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