The Democratic Party of Korea on the 25th said it would not withdraw midrace over allegations that Kim Yong-nam, running in the Pyeongtaek-eul National Assembly by-election, operated a "borrowed-name lend company," saying "illegality has not been confirmed." In the Pyeongtaek-eul district, opposition parties including the People Power Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party, which are rival parties in the race, are calling for Kim to step down by questioning his eligibility as a public office candidate, but the party made clear it intends to complete the race.
Cho Seung-rae, the party's secretary-general and head of the general election committee, said at a press briefing at the National Assembly on the 25th, "After reviewing the specific explanatory materials submitted by candidate Kim, we concluded that the grounds are very weak to deem there were illegal acts in the processes of company establishment, acquisition, and asset reporting," adding this.
Cho said, "Since illegality has not been confirmed, it is only natural for the candidate to complete the race," adding, "We make it clear that this issue does not warrant the candidate's midrace withdrawal." He also mentioned allegations that Rebuilding Korea Party Damyang county chief candidate Jeong Cheol-won operated a "borrowed-name construction company," saying, "Using the same standard applied to our candidate, the Rebuilding Korea Party should also answer clearly about its own candidate's suspicions."
However, some in the ruling camp worry that this situation could become a headwind for public sentiment not only in the Pyeongtaek-eul by-election but also in battlegrounds such as Seoul and Busan. As Democratic Party and opposition candidates are locked in tight races in various polls, they say both the candidate's own allegations and the party's response could sway voters. Kim Hyun-jung, the sitting lawmaker for the Democratic Party in Pyeongtaek-byeong, also said on CBS Radio that day, "If you listen to the explanation, there are aspects that can be understood," but added, "I think it will have an impact on the election."