Democratic Party of Korea Addresses Allegations of Financial Transactions in Nominations
The Democratic Party of Korea has addressed recent allegations involving financial transactions related to nominations, specifically those involving Rep. Kang Sun-woo and former floor leader Kim Byung-kee. The party’s leadership has characterized these incidents as “individual deviations” and has indicated that it does not plan to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the entire nomination process.
During a press briefing at the National Assembly, Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae responded to questions about whether the party would investigate the allegations of monetary transactions during the 2022 local elections and the 2020 general elections. He emphasized that the party views these issues as isolated cases rather than systemic problems within the nomination system.
Cho stated, “We are not currently considering investigating the entire nomination process.” He added, “It does not appear that there were systemic issues across the entire nomination system.”
Background on the Allegations
Former floor leader Kim Byung-kee was previously accused of receiving and later returning monetary gifts from former Dongjak District Council members ahead of the 2020 general elections. Lee Soo-jin, a former representative who was not renominated in the 2024 general elections, recently claimed to have submitted a petition detailing these allegations to Kim Hyun-ji, an aide in the office of then-party leader Rep. Lee Jae-myung.
Rep. Kang Sun-woo left the party on the 1st amid allegations that he received 100 million Korean won from then-candidate Kim Kyung, a Seoul city council member, ahead of the 2022 local elections, and was also expelled from the party.
Investigation by Ethics Inspection Team and Ethics Tribunal
Regarding whether the allegations of monetary transactions involving former floor leader Kim during the 2020 general elections fall under the investigation of the party’s Ethics Inspection Team and Ethics Tribunal, Secretary-General Cho explained, “While the facts of such claims have not been confirmed, the Ethics Tribunal needs to comprehensively assess the allegations. If necessary, it can conduct an ex officio investigation, and such procedures are expected to proceed.”
He added, “Regardless of the police investigation, the Ethics Tribunal will proceed with determining disciplinary actions against former floor leader Kim through an independent judgment as swiftly as possible.”
Response to Calls for a Special Counsel
In response to the People Power Party’s call for a special counsel to investigate the nomination allegations involving Kim Byung-kee and Kang Sun-woo, Cho stated, “We are not considering a special counsel.”
Strengthening the Nomination Framework
The Democratic Party plans to further strengthen its systemic nomination framework, centered on ensuring primary election opportunities, a policy promoted by leader Jung Chung-rae, in light of these allegations.
Cho stated, “Even if there are no systemic issues, we recognize that such allegations arose due to limitations or loopholes. We will uphold the principle of eradicating parachute nominations and ensure minimum primary election opportunities to prevent unjust cutoffs.”
Explanation of the Nomination Process
Regarding the process by which City Council member Kim Kyung, accused of providing monetary gifts to Rep. Kang Sun-woo during the 2022 local elections, received a single nomination during the elections, Cho explained, “Council member Kim was under close scrutiny for real estate speculation, and all three candidates had been cutoff. In that situation, unable to make a decision and pressured by time, the conclusion was reached to listen to the opinion of the regional committee chair (Rep. Kang) and proceed with a single nomination.”
Cho added, “We do not believe the two competitors of Council member Kim had moral flaws warranting cutoff. At the time, the nomination system heavily respected the opinion of the regional committee chair. This time, nominations will be conducted based on standards and principles.”
