Jung Cheong-rae, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, said Kim Yong, a former deputy director of the party-affiliated Democratic Research Institute who was excluded from nominations for the June 3 parliamentary by-elections, would have “a day to be used in a bigger role” before long.
In a Facebook post on April 28, Jung wrote, “I will work to restore Kim Yong’s honor,” adding, “I’ll see you soon. Please stay strong.”
A day earlier, the party’s strategic nominations committee said it decided not to nominate Kim, saying his candidacy could affect the by-elections.
Kim was sentenced to five years in prison in an appeals court on charges of receiving money from a group of private developers tied to the Daejang-dong development project. He was later released on bail and is awaiting a Supreme Court ruling. The committee cited concerns that nominating him could rally conservatives and drive away centrist voters.
Kim held a news conference at the National Assembly on April 28 and said he “accepts the committee’s decision with gravity,” adding that he would “respect the party’s deliberations and strategic judgment and serve without seeking a post.”
“If my sacrifice becomes a foundation for the success of the Lee Jae-myung government and a Democratic Party victory, I will step aside gladly,” he said.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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