Lee Won-taek, the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for North Jeolla Province governor, has accused former party chairman Song Young-gil of "anti-party conduct" for defending his independent rival Kim Kwan-young.
In a statement released Saturday, Lee's election committee said, "Former chairman Song's defense of candidate Kim — calling him 'a Democratic Party member anyway' and 'the No. 1 talent recruited by President Lee Jae-myung' — is an irresponsible political incitement that denies the official decision of a public party and deceives voters." The committee added, "Packaging an independent candidate who was expelled from the Democratic Party as if he were a Democratic Party candidate is an irresponsible incitement that even undermines the political neutrality of the president."
Song, who is a candidate for the Yeonsu-A constituency in Incheon, appeared on a YouTube channel on May 30 and said, "Candidate Kim is also an outstanding figure chosen by President Lee, and ultimately a person who will work with the Democratic Party," adding, "The party leadership did not handle candidate Lee's missteps fairly, which has stirred anger among the people of the Honam region." Song also criticized the party leadership, saying, "It is contradictory for the Democratic Party to pour all its resources into North Jeolla alone," and arguing, "The party should concentrate more of its strength on tightly contested races such as the Pyeongtaek-B by-election."
Kim has been using Song's remarks for his own campaign promotion. Kim's camp said, "Former chairman Song stated that 'North Jeolla residents are angry because the Democratic Party's process of expelling Governor Kim Kwan-young was flawed,'" adding, "Attacking a former party chairman who told the truth is behavior that crosses the line. Show at least a minimum of courtesy to former chairman Song, who is fighting an election in a battleground district in Incheon."
Analysts say Song's defense of Kim is aimed at the party convention scheduled for August. Song is considered one of the contenders eyeing the party leadership, and the analysis is that he is criticizing the nomination process surrounding candidate Lee and defending Kim in order to attack his expected rival, party leader Jeong Cheong-rae.
