Ruling Party Slams Ex-DP Official's Potential Bid as 'Mockery of Rule of Law'

The People Power Party has strongly condemned the potential parliamentary candidacy of Kim Yong, a former official of the Democratic Party and a close associate of President Lee Jae-myung. In a sharp critique, the party labeled Kim as a "convicted felon mocking the rule of law" for hinting at a run in the June 3 by-election.

Kim is currently awaiting a Supreme Court decision after being found guilty in both the first and second instances of receiving illegal political funds. The People Power Party's senior spokesperson, Park Seong-hoon, stated that if not for his proximity to the president, Kim should be in prison, not on the campaign trail. The party highlighted Kim's conviction for receiving 600 million won in illegal political funds from Daejang-dong developers during President Lee's presidential primary campaign.

Park further accused Kim of attempting to use a parliamentary inquiry, pushed through by the majority party, as a shield against his prosecution, calling it a "preposterous sophistry" that distorts the investigation into a fabrication. The party views Kim's actions and the Democratic Party's stance as a symbol of the severe collapse of South Korea's judicial system under the current administration. They argue that a criminal suspect attempting to represent the people is an insult to voters and an act of terror against democracy itself.