Kim Min-seok of the Democratic Party of Korea was caught on camera by reporters on the 9th in the National Assembly's main chamber with a notebook open that had the phrase "Seoul mayor candidate" and names of figures from the ruling camp written on it. There was also a name that appeared to be former party leader Jung Chung-rae of the same party, and Jung reacted by saying he was "offended."

In the afternoon on the 9th, a notebook belonging to Democratic Party of Korea Kim Min-seok is seen on the floor of the National Assembly plenary session hall. The notebook lists five first names or initials for Seoul mayoral candidates with the surnames omitted. Aside from "Cheong-rae," the rest are captured faintly and are hard to identify./Courtesy of Dailyan

Dailian reported on Kim's notebook filmed that day in the main chamber. In the notebook, "Hun-sik," "Won-sik," and "Chung-rae" were listed side by side as "Seoul mayor candidates." They appear to refer to Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik, former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and former party leader Jung Chung-rae.

Political circles are focused on whether a by-election will be held depending on the outcome of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's case involving the Political Funds Act. Oh was sentenced in the first trial to a fine of 10 million won and forfeiture of 21 million won over allegations of proxying an opinion poll payment, and the appeal trial is underway. If Oh receives a finalized sentence of a fine of at least 1 million won for violating the Political Funds Act, he will lose his mayoral post.

Kim also made remarks during the Aug. 17 party convention process that seemed to anticipate a Seoul mayoral by-election. On the 10th of last month, Kim said, "I will take responsibility and start preparing for the election as soon as I am elected," adding, "I intend to stake my mandate on the Seoul mayoral election. Next year's Seoul mayoral election is one we must win no matter what."

Former party leader Jung Chung-rae publicly expressed his displeasure after seeing the report. Jung wrote on Facebook that day, "Last time you grabbed the mic and toyed with me, and now you're hitting me with a notebook. I'm offended."

He went on, "You hit me so hard with negativity during the convention—wasn't that enough? The convention is over and you won, so why do you keep hitting the person who lost?" adding, "Isn't it too cruel? And as for the Seoul mayor, 'Min-seok' and 'Young-gil,' who dreamed of becoming Seoul mayor and were defeated, are also good candidates, so write them down in your notebook."

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