Uncertainty in UNDP Primary on October 14

Leaders of the United New Democratic Party (UNDP) decided to carry out primaries in major cities and provinces within just one day of October 14. However, each candidate’s camp is opposing the idea, or attaching different conditions, bringing uncertainty to the plan. Chung Dong-young, Sohn Hak-gyu and Lee Hae-chan have decided not to participate in the joint-speech session in Gyeonggi Province on October 5. Spokesperson Kim Hyeon-mi, of Chung camp, demanded on October 4, “We first need to find out whether changing the primary schedule is legal. Party members who blindly followed certain candidates should resign.”

Chung’s spokesperson Kim presented evidence of illegal placards of the Sohn camp and the operation of illegal call centers by the Lee camp, and called for the resignation of the two candidates.

Former prime minister Lee Hae-chan, meanwhile, called a press conference at the National Assembly and criticized Chung, saying, “The party who should offer an apology is the one who operated a recruitment system for the Electoral College, by which anyone with a stolen ID can apply. The candidate who took advantage of the flawed system is even worse.”

Former Gyeonggi governor Sohn also said in a statement, “Changes in the primary schedule and the way it is carried out cannot solve the party’s difficulties. The root cause of an illegal election should be eliminated.” Sohn demanded an additional measure on a party level. Sohn and Lee called for scrutiny of Electoral College recruitment and decided not to join speech sessions until corrective measures are taken.

Regarding this, Lawmaker Ji Byeong-mun, chair of the UNDP primary committee, said, “We will call every member of the Electoral College at whom the accusation was directed.” Party leadership is trying to reach an agreement on the primary schedule by arranging a meeting of the three candidates on October 5, and is considering pressing ahead with a joint-speech session scheduled for the same day. The primary committee plans to carry out four rounds of mobile voting, via cell phone, until October 14.

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