Conservative Party Could Drop Controversial Candidates

The ethics committee of the conservative Grand National Party asked its Supreme Council Sunday to replace 12 candidates running for the general elections next month.

The 12 include those who served prison terms, those who challenged the outcome of the party primaries, those who left the party but came back, and those who kept switching parties.

Committee chairman In Myeong-jin told a news conference, “The ethics committee unanimously agreed to the decision at the council meeting.”

Candidates who served time in prison were Kim Taek-gi (Gangwon Province), Lee Hak-jae (Incheon) and Ahn Byeong-yong (Seoul). Those who challenged the party primaries or left the party were Song Gwang-ho (North Chungcheong Province), Lee Jong-hyuk (Busan), Yoon Young (South Gyeongsang Province) and Jeong Jae-hak (Gyeonggi Province). Those who constantly changed parties were Jeong Duk-gu (South Chungcheong Province), Lee Hyun-jae (Gyeonggi Province), Choi Jong-chan (Anyang), Hyun Gi-hwan (Busan) and Park Sang-eun (Incheon).

Among them, Kim, Lee Hak-jae, Ahn, Jeong Jae-hak, and Park are under a committee review because the party’s Supreme Council has postponed their nominations.

The committee also urged a reassessment of candidates Kim Ho-yeon (South Chungcheong Province) and Jang Jae-won (Busan) for their alleged corruption.

Lawmakers Nam Gyeong-pil and Park Hyung-joon issued a joint statement saying, “Some candidates were unfairly selected to replace incumbent lawmakers in the Gyeongsang provinces (the party’s stronghold). We need to correct the wrong nomination process, which does not fit principles and standards, through an appropriate method.”

Both lawmakers supported the decision of the ethics committee, saying the figures replacing incumbents are supposed to be better. They said it is hard to understand how those who served time in prison for corruption and those who changed parties for their own interests were chosen.

ksch@donga.com