Democratic Party Jeonnam Committee: "Park Sunghyun Cannot Run for Gwangyang Mayor as an Independent"

The Jeonnam Provincial Party Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea has made it clear that it cannot allow Park Sunghyun, a former pre-candidate for Gwangyang mayor who registered in the party’s primary for the 9th nationwide simultaneous local elections, to run as an independent candidate.

It is reported that on April 13, Park completed the process of changing his registration to an independent pre-candidate at the Gwangyang City Election Commission and has begun his election campaign.

On the same day, the Jeonnam Provincial Party Committee released an emergency statement, declaring, “On or around the 25th, when all primary procedures are completed, we will submit to the Jeonnam Provincial Election Commission the list of primary candidates within the party, including Park Sunghyun, who has been disqualified.”

Democratic Party of Korea Jeonnam Provincial Party Logo

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The Jeonnam Provincial Party Committee further pointed out that Park’s decision to forcefully run as an independent candidate is in direct violation of the purpose of Article 57-2, Paragraph 2 of the Public Official Election Act.

According to the relevant regulation, if a party primary has been held, those who did not win the party nomination as primary candidates are prohibited from registering as candidates in the same constituency.

In particular, on April 6, Park stated, “I will accept the party’s decision,” and apologized to the public for causing concern over the Democratic Party primary, which has led to criticism that his independent candidacy goes against the promise he made to Gwangyang citizens and party members. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that during the nomination process, Park signed a pledge for a fair election, which included agreeing to accept any disposition, such as disqualification, if any civil or criminal legal issues arose.

In response, the Jeonnam Provincial Party Committee stated, “He must take the intent and responsibility of that pledge seriously,” and added, “We will respond to actions against the party’s decision with a zero-tolerance policy. Any act that damages the party’s reputation or undermines the nomination process will be met with all possible civil and criminal legal actions.”

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