Kim Youngjin Says "Jeong Cheongrae Made the Decision to Nominate Kim Yongnam for Pyeongtaek-eul"

Expressed Concerns Over the Nomination
Prepared a Third Candidate
Last-Minute Change of Position

Kim Youngjin, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated that it was former party leader Jung Chungrae who nominated former lawmaker Kim Yongnam (then a candidate) for the Pyeongtaek B constituency in the parliamentary by-election held concurrently with the June 3 nationwide local elections.

In an interview on MBC Radio’s ‘Kim Jongbae’s Focus,’ Assemblyman Kim said, “The one who nominated the Pyeongtaek B candidate was former leader Jung.” He continued, “While I had several discussions with former leader Jung regarding the nomination of National Assembly candidates during the other local and by-elections, and we generally reached a broad consensus, we had differing opinions specifically on the Pyeongtaek B nomination.” He added, “At the time, I expressed my position that nominating that candidate would be unreasonable.”

Yonhap News Agency

Recalling the situation, Assemblyman Kim, who serves as vice-chairman of the Democratic Party’s Talent Recruitment Committee, said, “I pointed out in various situations that it was inappropriate and requested that it be reconsidered.”

He explained, “At that time, Kim Yongnam had clearly indicated until the last day that he would not run in Pyeongtaek, so the party made efforts to find a third candidate, and I also participated in those efforts. We were preparing a third candidate, but on the last day, Kim Yongnam expressed his willingness to run.” In response to the moderator’s question about whether it was a change of stance at the final moment, Assemblyman Kim added, “Because there was this turnabout, former leader Jung handled the nomination, and that’s where the difference of opinion between myself and former leader Jung existed.”

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