Speaking further at a party supreme council meeting at the National Assembly on April 23, Jang said such conduct “from now on” could be fatal to the election.
“It’s time to fight in earnest against the Democratic Party and its candidates,” he said. “Now is the time to correctly identify who we are fighting and fight properly.” He added that if the person engaging in such conduct is a candidate, “I will immediately replace the candidate.”
Jang also said the party had moved to have each provincial and city party form an election committee. In areas where candidates for metropolitan mayor or governor have been decided, he said, the local party and the candidate will consult to form a committee, calling it a step that has been taken at every local election. He said the central election committee would be formed after watching how nominations are finalized.
After the meeting, chief spokesperson Choi Bo-yoon told reporters that discipline for party-harming acts is “only natural” for a political party and said Jang delivered a strong message to prevent problems and help secure victory.
Asked whether forming separate election committees or attacking the leadership would be considered party-harming conduct, Choi said forming separate committees “cannot, of course, be seen as party-harming.” She said the party’s position is that when candidates are confirmed in each region, local committees should be formed even before the central committee is set up so preparations for the local elections proceed steadily.
Choi also rejected suggestions that Jang’s remarks were aimed at Gangwon Gov. Kim Jin-tae, who a day earlier urged Jang to “take responsibility,” saying there was “absolutely nothing” to link Kim’s comments to party-harming conduct.
On Jang’s earlier request to the party ethics committee to suspend disciplinary action until the local elections end, Choi said it referred to matters already pending, while any newly occurring party-harming acts would still require judgment. She said failing to address repeated conduct related to the local elections would amount to the central party “abandoning” candidates who are campaigning hard.
In response, Rep. Bae Hyun-jin, a lawmaker aligned with Han Dong-hoon, criticized Jang, writing on Facebook, “Now you’re even intimidating candidates. Then go to the U.S.”
Bae wrote that Jang’s definition of party-harming conduct appeared to be “Don’t come, Jang Dong-hyeok,” adding that his trip to Gangwon the previous day must have upset him. She argued that candidates may feel they have no choice, saying it could be seen as an extreme act of loyalty because Jang “created” a situation in which, to beat the Democratic Party, “the reality is that Jang must not be there.” She also said that candidates nominated by the 17 local party organizations can ultimately be approved through a re-vote by the local party even if the supreme council rejects them.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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