The People Power Party, Reform Party, and Rebuilding Korea Party all criticized the Democratic Party of Korea over alleged nomination donations.
Park Sung-hoon, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement on the 3rd, "A special counsel is inevitable to uncover the substantive truth," adding, "The Democratic Party should immediately stop the ploys and tricks to wrap up the suspicions with an internal inspection."
Park also raised the allegation of cash-for-favors involving former floor leader Kim Byung-kee in the 2020 general election, saying, "The petition at the time specifically stated the timing and method of delivery," and added, "What is more serious is that these details were reportedly conveyed to leader Lee Jae-myung ahead of the 2024 general election but were ignored."
He went on to argue, "In the alleged 1 billion won bribery-for-nomination case summed up as 'Kang Sun-woo did a Kang Sun-woo,' the public cannot shake off the suspicion that the Democratic Party of Korea's entire nomination system is a 'corrupt cartel driven by money' and that President Lee Jae-myung is the ultimate beneficiary of this system."
Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon also wrote on Facebook, "Police reportedly did nothing for two months even after receiving the 'Kim Byung-kee nomination bribery case' in November last year," adding, "There is decisive evidence in the form of a petition from the person who paid the bribe, so the case should have prompted an immediate search and seizure."
People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jin-woo also said, "The fact that the petition submitted to then-aide Kim Hyun-ji ended up in the hands of suspect Kim Byung-kee shows how corrupt this is," adding, "In return for covering up the suspicion, Kim swung the nomination blade of 'tragic misfortune for nonpro-Lee, windfall for pro-Lee.' The Democratic Party and the police cut Kim slack. A special counsel is best suited for quashing bribery and power-related cases."
Reform Party spokesperson Jung I-han also issued a commentary aimed at lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, saying, "Even kneeling and begging forgiveness before the public would fall short, yet you are thrashing about, even pulling the trick of quitting the party to cover up the money-for-nomination suspicion. There is no trace of 'shame' or 'humiliation' in you," and added, "Stop hiding, put handcuffs on yourself, and appear before the investigative authorities."
The Rebuilding Korea Party, classified as part of the broader pro-government camp, also joined the criticism. Cho, the Rebuilding Korea Party leader, wrote on Facebook the same day, "Money-for-nominations in local elections must be eradicated. It sullies the purpose of local autonomy, the foundation of democracy," adding, "President Kim Dae-jung, who introduced local autonomy through a 13-day hunger strike, would be turning in his grave," in a rebuke.
Cho said, "Kang argued at the Seoul party chapter nomination management committee that candidate Kim Kyung should be solely nominated as a Seoul city councilor, and it later came to light that a message was sent pushing Kim, then a city councilor, for floor leader," adding, "In certain districts where nomination effectively equals election, it has long circulated as an open secret that the price for a basic councilor nomination is paid to the district's member of the National Assembly. It seemed unlikely, but this case has confirmed it."
Cho also argued that multi-member districts of three or more seats should be expanded in local council elections.