After a Spokesperson of the People Power Party said in effect that even if one runs in the June 3 local elections under the Reform Party banner, they cannot win, the Reform Party on the 17th criticized the remark as "an act that undermines cooperation on a special counsel." The People Power Party and the Reform Party are currently working together to introduce dual special counsels into allegations involving the Democratic Party of Korea's ties to the Unification Church and the alleged acceptance of nomination bribes.
Lee Jae-neung, a Spokesperson of the People Power Party, appeared on a YouTube program the previous day and said, "The Reform Party is now engaging in a 4 billion won nomination sale. All 4,000 people who would run are victims," adding, "They won't win anyway, so saying they will see it through only means they are being used, which is pitiful." The "4 billion won nomination sale" is interpreted as referring to the estimated election costs if 4,000 people were to run with the Reform Party.
Earlier, Reform Party leader Lee Jun-seok pledged that, if running in the June 3 local elections, it would be possible to campaign for 990,000 won at the basic councilor level.
In response, Jung I-han, a Spokesperson of the Reform Party, issued a commentary that day, saying, "This is a grave moment when the leaderships of both parties are joining forces to push through the Unification Church special counsel and the special counsel on money-for-nomination allegations involving Kang Sun-woo and Kim Byung-kee," and noted, "In such a situation, a Spokesperson of the People Power Party attacking the other party with baseless slander is an irresponsible act that undermines the trust in our cooperation."
Jung went on to say, "We ask the leadership of the People Power Party: a Spokesperson's remarks, made without confirming even the most basic facts, are shaking the framework of cooperation. Will you let this stand?" and called for the resignation of Spokesperson Lee Jae-neung, among other measures.
Lee, the Spokesperson, expressed an apology. Posting on Facebook, Lee said, "The remark in question was excessive wording stemming from my misunderstanding, and I acknowledge that 'all of my related remarks' were wrong."