Liberal Party Chief Blasted for Nomination Gaffe

Co-chairman Sohn Hak-kyu of the liberal United Democratic Party is under fire for backing a lawmaker-elect under the proportional representation system who faces stock fraud charges.

The party has criticized Sohn for influencing the nomination process of Chung Kuk-kyo, who is under arrest on charges of stock price manipulation.

The party’s Supreme Council held an unprecedented closed-door meeting yesterday to blast Sohn.

“As proportional lawmaker-elect Chung Kuk-kyo was put on the list at Co-chairman Sohn’s recommendation at the end of the nomination period, [Chung’s] stock manipulation scandal was not even reviewed,” said council member Kim Min-seok.

Another member said that though Sohn denied in a meeting that he is personally affiliated with Chung on the day the candidates were announced, he did admit to using his influence to nominate Chung.

The disclosure of harsh criticism against the party’s leader indicates the liberal camp’s power vacuum.

Council members also called inappropriate the official explanation given by party secretary-general Park Hong-soo and spokeswoman Cha Young, since it came before the party discovered the truth behind Chung’s charges.

Council member Kim Chung-jo said it was wrong to make an announcement only after listening to Chung’s explanation, as it gave the public impression that the party was trying to protect him.

Another member said Sohn tried to explain but to no avail because other council members cut him off while he was talking. “Some mentioned that Chung should step down, but Sohn opposed it,” the member said.

The party’s other Co-chairman Park Sang-cheon said in a statement, “[Chung’s case] could have been prevented as the party closely reviewed his implication in stock manipulation when rumors about it were flying about.”

srkim@donga.com koh@donga.com