PPP calls for DPK to overhaul its satellite party after resignation of candidates with pro-NK stance
Chief Spokesperson of the Ruling People Power Party Park Jung-ha is seen in this photo. Nov. 20, 2022. Newsis
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) called Wednesday for the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to completely overhaul how it is nominating candidates to its satellite party, claiming otherwise it could allow the entry of pro-North Korean forces into the National Assembly.
The criticism came after two candidates — Jeon Ji-yeh and Jung Young-yi — withdrew their bid for candidacy amid criticism over their affiliation with civic groups with pro-North Korean and anti-U.S. tendencies.
Jeon and Jung were among four candidates nominated to the satellite party representing civic groups.
On Wednesday, the PPP strongly criticized the DPK's candidate nomination process, accusing it of opening doors for people with a pro-North Korean stance.
"The full story behind the scenario of the 'parliament infiltration operation' orchestrated by pro-North Korean forces ... is gradually being revealed," the PPP's chief spokesperson Park Jung-ha said.
Jeon led a group of civic groups opposed to the joint military drills with the United States, while Jung spearheaded various pro-North Korean activities and demonstrations against the U.S. deployment of Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missiles in South Korea, Park said.
The controversial nominations, however, were only made possible because the panel of judges making candidate nomination decisions was comprised of people from civic groups that share the same ideology, Park added.
"Should such people become lawmakers, it could seriously threaten national security and undermine the South Korea-U.S. alliance," Park said.
He urged the DPK to completely overhaul the way it is nominating candidates to its satellite party, saying changing one of two figures will not resolve this matter. (Yonhap)