The Democratic Party of Korea decided to minimize the number of incumbent lawmakers and local chapter heads on the city and provincial party candidate recommendation committee (screening committee) ahead of the local elections in June. The move appears to reflect allegations of nomination funds centered on lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, who previously left the party.
Park Soo-hyun, the Democratic Party of Korea's chief spokesperson, told reporters after a closed Supreme Council meeting at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno District, Seoul, on the 28th that the party had approved this agenda to form the city and provincial party screening committees.
Park, the chief spokesperson, said, "In the past, the city and provincial party screening committees were composed of more than half incumbent lawmakers and local chapter heads, and it is no exaggeration to say that the remaining outside members were merely nominal," adding, "This time, the city and provincial party screening committees have been formed as objective and neutral bodies by largely excluding incumbent lawmakers and local chapter heads and composing them with outside members."
Park added, "In past nominations, some things happened outside the system, and we feel a very grave sense of responsibility for what is currently investigating," and emphasized, "Since Jung Chung-rae took office as leader, the belief has been that transparent nominations and fair nominations are the key to victory in these local elections, and we have expressed a strong will to that end."
The Democratic Party decided to preserve for the next four years the records containing details on the composition and operation of the screening committees, as well as meetings and reviews. Park, the chief spokesperson, said this was "the Democratic Party's ongoing effort for transparent nominations."