Kim Yong Says Kim Nam-guk's Second Nomination Would Be a Privilege, Sparking Tension Over Ansan Gap Nomination

[The Financial News] Kim Yong, former deputy head of the Institute for Democracy, took aim at Democratic Party spokesperson Kim Nam-guk, who is being mentioned as a candidate in the by-election for members of the National Assembly in Ansan Gap, Gyeonggi Province, on the 21st, saying, "Getting another strategic nomination would be a privilege."
Appearing on MBC Radio that day, Kim said in response to a question about strategic nominations for the by-election, "I don't care where in Gyeonggi Province it is," adding, "If the party decides strategically, whether it is Ansan or Hanam, I will work hard accordingly."
At present, Kim Nam-guk of the Democratic Party and former Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Hae-cheol have both expressed their intention to run in the Ansan Gap by-election. 
Kim also fired a warning shot at those who have declared interest in running in Ansan Gap. Regarding Kim Nam-guk, he said, "He already received a strategic nomination once last time," and claimed that the party had said, "That is a privilege. Strategic nominations should be limited to one."
About former lawmaker Jeon, he said, "I am not sure whether public sentiment in Ansan will accept him, given that he took the lead in pushing through the motion for Lee Jae-myung's arrest warrant at the time," adding, "I may also have a chance."
However, he did not comment much on former Gangwon Province Governor Lee Kwang-jae, who is being floated as a candidate for the Hanam A nomination. Earlier, Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae said at a press briefing on the 20th that Lee's support for gubernatorial candidate Woo Sang-ho was in the spirit of "putting the party first and personal interests second," and indicated that he would first consider Lee as a strategic nomination candidate for the by-election.
For the Pyeongtaek Eul by-election, Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, and Kim Jae-yeon, leader of the Progressive Party, have both expressed their intention to run. The Democratic Party has yet to decide on a candidate.


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