Kim Yong Becomes a Flashpoint in Candidate Selection... Will the Lee Jae-myung–Jeong Cheong-rae Factional Conflict Reignite?

The Lee Jae-myung–Jeong Cheong-rae factional conflict within the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, which had been quiet for some time, appears to be flaring up again over strategic nominations for the June 3 by-elections for the National Assembly.
According to political sources on the 26th, former Institute for Democracy vice president Kim Yong is one of the original pro-Lee Jae-myung figures who worked with Lee Jae Myung during his time as Mayor of Seongnam and Governor of Gyeonggi Province. Kim, who received guilty verdicts in the first and second trials over allegations of receiving illegal political funds from Ssangbangwool, is demanding nomination in either the Ansan-gap constituency or Hanam A, calling himself a victim of fabricated prosecution by Yoon Suk Yeol's political prosecutors.
Lawmakers aligned with the pro-Lee Jae-myung camp are reportedly working behind the scenes to support Kim's nomination in the by-elections. Ahn Ho-young, who had clashed with the Jung Cheong-rae leadership after objecting to a nomination decision, also publicly suggested Kim's candidacy. Ahn staged a hunger strike after Lee Won-taek was confirmed as the candidate for governor of Jeonbuk, despite allegations that he had had meals paid for by others.
However, some close aides to Jung, including Secretary-General Cho Seung-rae and lawmaker Kim Young-jin, drew a line on whether Kim should be nominated, saying there were "opinions that there are many negative aspects" within the party. On the surface, the concern is a judicial risk, given that Kim has been convicted in two trials. But some observers say the deeper calculation is that if the pro-Lee Jae-myung camp consolidates, Jung's chances of winning another term could become weaker.
One Democratic Party of Korea official interpreted Jung's recent hint that former Gangwon Province Governor Lee Kwang-jae could be nominated in Gyeonggi Province as "a move to block Kim Yong from entering the National Assembly, since he could become a rallying point for the pro-Lee Jae-myung camp."
jiwon.song@fnnews.com Song Ji-won Reporter