Democratic Party files defamation complaint against independent candidate ahead of local elections

South Korea's Democratic Party has filed a defamation complaint against independent Jeonbuk gubernatorial candidate Kim Kwan-young, just one day before the June 3 local elections. The party's Fair Election Headquarters announced the complaint was lodged with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, accusing Kim of violating election law by spreading false information.

The controversy stems from Kim Kwan-young's appearance on MBC radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Eye on This' program. During the interview, Kim alleged that Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae was actively working to ensure Lee Won-taek's nomination as the party's candidate for Jeonbuk governor. Kim further claimed that Lee had told many people he was reluctantly running for governor only because Jeong had pressured him to do so.

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Jeong Cheong-rae was trying to make sure Lee Won-taek would be nominated.

Based on these statements, Kim Kwan-young suggested that Jeong Cheong-rae might have had a "secret deal" or some understanding with Lee Won-taek. The Democratic Party views these claims as defamatory and damaging to their campaign and party leadership, prompting the legal action just before the crucial election day.

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My position is that I cannot help but think that Representative Jeong has some kind of secret deal or something with Lee Won-taek.