Rival parties drop candidates in fear of damage to election campaign hopes

Lawyer Do Tae-woo speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Jan. 17, 2022. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-keun

The two main rival parties have each stripped their respective politicians of their electoral candidacies for controversial remarks made recently and also in the past, fearing that those inappropriate comments could hamper party goals as the April 10 general elections rapidly approach.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) canceled its candidate nomination for Do Tae-woo in Daegu’s Jung and Nam constituency on Thursday night, just two days after deciding to persevere with Do’s candidacy.

Do has faced criticisms over his comments stemming from a 2019 YouTube video, where he stated that “in the past, it was reasonable to think that North Korea influenced the 1980 pro-democracy uprising in Gwangju,” thereby being seen as trying to link the historic movement with North Korea, a claim often used by conservative political figures, which has often caused consternation for Gwangju's citizens.

The Gwangju Uprising was a response by the city's residents to the May 17 coup through which Chun Doo-hwan came to power as a military dictator and implemented martial law in the country.

Despite public criticisms and PPP interim leader Han Dong-hoon’s request for reconsideration, the party's candidate recommendation committee unanimously decided to retain his candidacy on Tuesday, stating that Do had “already issued sincere apologies.”

However, Do’s other controversial past comments were revealed afterward — during a 2019 public rally of conservatives, Do said, “Some people say that when they see such bizarre behavior from (then-President) Moon Jae-in, they imagine, ‘Will he stop only when he dies?’”

After these comments resurfaced, the committee then withdrew the candidacy, saying in a statement, “We have stated that a candidate can lose his or her candidacy when he or she causes social controversies or makes comments not meeting public expectations.”

The ruling party also canceled the candidacy of Rep. Chung Woo-taik for the Sangdang District of Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on Thursday afternoon, after he received criticisms due to a video that showed him receiving an envelope filled with money from a businessman in the region. Chung said he returned the money, but the businessman said the opposite.

Former lawmaker Chung Bong-ju, left, shakes hands with Democratic Party of Korea Chairman Lee Jae-myung during a meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Jan. 31, 2023. Korea Times photo by Koh Young-kwon

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), also on Thursday night, annulled its nomination of former lawmaker Chung Bong-ju in Seoul’s Gangbuk-B constituency. In a 2017 YouTube video, Chung mocked two staff sergeants who had their legs severed due to a land mine explosion during a 2015 mission in the Demilitarized Zone near Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

In the video, Chung said: “We have great stuff in the DMZ, don't we? Ankle mines. We could all go into the DMZ and give out prizes. Give a set of crutches to each of those who step on the mines.”

As this became a controversy later on, Chung claimed that he apologized to the victims, but the sergeants said Chung had not.

DPK spokesperson Park Sung-joon said in a statement, “Chung caused public concern with controversies surrounding his false apologies to the victims, so the party decided to nominate another person for the constituency.”

Controversial comments made by candidates have always affected Korea’s major elections. However, it is rare to witness the two main parties both removing candidates for past remarks soon after giving them candidacies.

This is triggering criticisms that the two parties poorly conducted their vetting and primaries to screen out problematic figures.

Jang Ye-chan holds his application for the ruling People Power Party's Supreme Council membership at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Feb. 2, 2023. Korea Times photo by Oh Dae-keun

Though the rival parties belatedly sidelined controversial candidates, chances are high that there will be more to follow.

Jang Ye-chan, a PPP candidate for Busan’s Suyeong, posted his apology on Facebook on Friday over his SNS postings in the past, which contained inappropriate remarks on various social issues.

“The posts I left on Facebook about 10 years ago are causing concern among the public,” he wrote. “Although most of them were deleted earlier, captured images remained, causing controversy. Once again, I sincerely apologize to the people.” It was the young politician's second apology following one on Tuesday.

He is under fire for more than 10 past postings. In a 2014 post, he wrote “Wouldn't it be a healthier society to respect professionals, even if they enjoy sexual promiscuity and flirt with people regardless of gender, as long as they demonstrate expertise in their assigned duties?”

In a 2012 post, he wrote “I want to blow up the animal hospital on the first floor of my office,” and “I doubt that the civic awareness and cultural level of people in Seoul can even come close to the dust on the toenails of Japanese people.”

Over Jang’s issue, PPP floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok told reporters Friday, “It is obvious that remarks not meeting public expectations are affecting the elections and the public's sentiment.”

PPP Secretary-General Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok also told reporters that the party "will consider various factors such as the content of the statement, the problematic points, how it will be perceived by the public and the candidate’s stance on the coverage.”

On Saturday, the PPP canceled the candidacy of Jang, saying, "Following extensive discussions, it has been confirmed that Jang made numerous remarks that went against the public sentiment and were inappropriate as a candidate seeking public office."

Cho Su-yeon, PPP candidate for Daejeon’s Seo-A constituency, is also mired in controversies for her previous social media posts: “It would be better for people to live under Japanese colonial rule, rather than the feudal rule of the Joseon Kingdom.”

At the main opposition DPK, its Chairman Lee Jae-myung's remark, is also causing a stir. During a canvassing event in Sejong, Thursday, he said, “if you are satisfied with your life now under the Yoon Suk Yeol administration, vote for number 2 (the PPP) or just stay at home.”

The remarks drew criticisms that the main opposition head was trying to dissuade voters from exercising their rights in a divisive manner. Lee’s aides said the remarks were meant to underscore the importance of judgment concerning the Yoon administration, and not aimed at discouraging people from voting.