Democrats attack independent candidates, accuse one of imitating Yoon
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The Democratic Party intensified its attacks on independent candidates Han Dong-hoon (Busan North-Gap by-election) and Kim Kwan-young (Jeonbuk governor).
- The party accused Han of operating a "pseudo-election office" similar to former President Yoon Suk-yeol, prompting an investigation by the election commission.
- The Democrats also criticized Kim Kwan-young for alleged dishonesty, stating he "eats lies for breakfast" and was forgiven by the party, not recruited.
The Democratic Party launched a strong offensive against independent candidates Han Dong-hoon and Kim Kwan-young on May 29, the first day of early voting for the June 3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections. Both candidates are in close races against Democratic Party contenders.
He seems like an apprentice politician who imitates Yoon Suk-yeol.
Jo Seung-rae, the Democratic Party's chief election campaign official, accused Han Dong-hoon of operating a "pseudo-election office" in a building, drawing parallels to former President Yoon Suk-yeol's alleged similar activities during his presidential campaign. Jo stated that Han appears to be an "apprentice politician" following Yoon's playbook. The Busan Election Commission has requested a police investigation into the allegations, which Han's campaign denies, calling it "character assassination" by the Democratic Party.
Regarding Kim Kwan-young, who is running as an independent after being expelled from the Democratic Party over alleged cash payments for proxies, Jo Seung-rae stated that Kim "eats lies for breakfast." Jo questioned Kim's claim of being President Lee Jae-myung's "first recruited talent," asserting that Kim was instead the "first person forgiven" by the party during a general amnesty in 2022. Jo also cast doubt on Kim's intention to rejoin the party if elected, asking if the party could forgive him a second time.
He eats lies for breakfast.
The Democratic Party's aggressive stance highlights the intense competition in these key races, particularly the Busan North-Gap by-election and the Jeonbuk gubernatorial race, where the party aims to reclaim influence.
He is not the first recruited talent, but the first person forgiven by our party.
Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.