Chung Jin-suk's nomination put on hold after indictment; will the opposition call it political persecution?

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[The Financial News] Chung Jin-suk, a former chief of staff to former President Yoon Suk Yeol who is running in the June 3 by-elections for the National Assembly, has had his nomination put on hold. The People Power Party's Candidate Nomination Management Committee said the decision was made because ethics committee procedures are under way. It appears Chung lost his eligibility to run under the party's constitution and rules after being indicted on charges related to his time as presidential chief of staff. If the ethics committee determines that the indictment has a substantial reason, such as political persecution, it can suspend disciplinary action and restore his eligibility. Because the charges are closely tied to Yoon, the committee's decision is likely to become a test of the party's willingness to sever ties with the former president.
Park Duk-hyum, the committee chair, said at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, that the nomination for the Gongju-Buyeo-Cheongyang constituency in South Chungcheong Province had been put on hold. He explained that the reason was that ethics committee procedures were still in progress. "It is difficult to go into detail, but we put it on hold because an objection was filed," he said.
The objection to Chung's nomination application appears to stem from his legal risks. Chung is on trial at the Seoul Central District Court after being indicted on charges including failing to appoint Constitutional Court justices and making rushed nominations. He is also under investigation for allegedly ordering the presidential office's computers to be wiped after the Dec. 3 martial law declaration.
Under the People Power Party Constitution and Party Rules, anyone indicted on charges such as violent crimes including murder, robbery and rape; indecent assault, public indecency, obscene acts involving telecommunications media, solicitation of prostitution and other sexual offenses, fraud, extortion, embezzlement and breach of trust, drunk driving, hit-and-run driving, and other indecent crimes involving children and adolescents; or corruption offenses such as bribery, illegal political funds, and abuse of authority, has their eligibility to run in party primaries and to apply for nominations suspended upon indictment. Under that provision, Chung is said to have lost his right to run.
The rule has also been applied to candidates such as Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City Yoo Jeong-bok. Oh was indicted without detention on charges including violations of the Political Funds Act, while Yoo was indicted for allegedly mobilizing public officials during the presidential primary process. The ethics committee judged that there was a substantial reason, such as political persecution, and suspended disciplinary action. His eligibility to run is then restored through a final decision by the party leader.
Whether Chung regains eligibility for the by-election will also depend on the ethics committee and party leader Jang Dong-hyuk. If they determine that the indictment against Chung has a substantial reason, such as political persecution, he could have his eligibility restored.
However, unlike Oh and Yoo, Chung has been indicted or investigated over allegations closely linked to Yoon and the martial law crisis. As a result, controversy over whether the party is truly severing ties with Yoon appears unavoidable. If the party suspends disciplinary action by treating the indictment as political persecution, it could be read as a sign that it lacks the will to break with the former president. Since the committee has said it will finalize candidates by the 5th, decisions by the party's ethics committee and supreme council are also expected soon.
haeram@fnnews.com Lee Hae-ram Reporter