"Seoul Mayoral Candidate, Cheong-rae" Political Circles 'Buzzing' Over 'Kim Min-seok Notebook'

[Financial News] Controversy is escalating after the notebook of Democratic Party of Korea leader Kim Min-seok, listing "Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor candidates," was spotted. The notebook listed names presumed to be "Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor candidates," including "Cheong-rae" (former Democratic Party of Korea leader Jung Cheong-rae), "Hoon-sik" (Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik), and "Won-sik" (former National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Speaker Woo Won-shik). In response, former leader Jung criticized Kim, stating that he was "displeased."
On the 9th, Dailian reported that it had captured the contents of a notebook Kim was looking at during the plenary session. The notebook contained the phrase "Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor candidate" along with the name "Cheong-rae." Along with this, names presumed to be "Hoon-sik" and "Won-sik" were listed. Two more names were written on the line below, but because the photo is blurry, the only speculation is that they are "Won-oh" (former Seongdong-gu Mayor Jeong Won-oh) and "MJ" or "MS."
After the photo was reported, Chief Spokesperson Park Seong-jun met with reporters and refrained from commenting, stating, "I reported to Kim that the photo had been released, but he did not say anything separately," and adding, "He is listening to various opinions from his position as leader."
Former leader Jung expressed his displeasure. He posted a message on social media titled, "Last time you mocked me with a microphone." Jung remarked, "Are you hitting me with a notebook this time? I am displeased," adding, "It was enough that you attacked me with negative campaigning during the party convention. The convention is over and you have won, so why do you keep attacking the person who lost? Isn't that too cruel?"
He then sarcastically remarked, "Min-seok and Young-gil, who dreamed of becoming Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor but lost, are also good candidates, so write them down in your notebook." 'Min-seok' and 'Young-gil' appear to refer to Kim and lawmaker Song Young-gil, respectively, both of whom have run for Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor.
The 'workshop' mentioned by former leader Jung refers to the Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers' workshop held on the 27th of last month. At the time, Kim mentioned Jung several times, stating that he was a "representative proponent of the 'there is no middle ground' theory," and made a series of public remarks, saying, "Our views differ" and "We cannot compromise." Even then, Jung expressed regret via social media, calling the remarks "violent."
Meanwhile, some also say that it was inappropriate for Kim to review the pool of candidates for Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor. This is because incumbent Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor Oh Se-hoon is currently on trial over the "allegations of paying for Myeong Tae-gyun's opinion polls." Although he was sentenced in the first trial to a fine of 10 million won, a penalty that would invalidate his election, he has not yet received a final ruling from the third trial. If Mayor Oh's election-invalidating sentence is upheld under the "6-3-3 principle," the possibility remains that a by-election for Seoul Metropolitan City Mayor will be held next April.
The phrase "Lee Jin-sook and Han Dong-hoon out" was also written in Kim's notebook, which was captured on this day. This appears to target People Power Party lawmaker Lee Jin-sook and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon. A resolution calling for Lee's expulsion has passed the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea plenary session after she hosted a forum that disparaged the May 18 Gwangju Uprising, while Han is currently embroiled in a controversy over the recent leak of investigation materials concerning Justice Minister nominee Kim Seung-won.
After the photo was reported, Han criticized Kim on social media, saying, "Kim, Han Dong-hoon out—are you imitating the Roh Sang-won notebook?" The so-called 'Roh Sang-won notebook' is a record containing former President Yoon Suk Yeol's 'collection plan' to purge opposition forces during the December 3 state of emergency.
[email protected] Lee Hae-ram Reporter