Chong Won-o, the head of Seoul's Seongdong District who has emerged as the Democratic Party of Korea's next Seoul mayoral candidate, denied allegations of collusion regarding his past attendance at a Unification Church event, saying it was a public occasion.
On the 16th, the district head posted a message on his social media (SNS) titled "Responding to Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo's allegations." The district head said, "The event in question (a Unification Church event) was held within the district as a public event in which local residents participated, and I attended upon invitation."
The district head explained, "Because it was a long time ago, I do not remember the details of the congratulatory remarks, but every congratulatory remark I have made to date was composed only to convey formal greetings and encouragement—nothing more, nothing less."
The district head continued, "I have never received any support of any kind from the Unification Church," and said, "I hope people will refrain from spreading further speculation without verified grounds or distorted information."
Earlier, Rep. Ahn said on SNS, "A Unification Church update on June 27, 2017, stated that the district head attended the Seongdong-gu Forward Rally hosted by the Unification Church headquarters diocese."
He then raised suspicions of collusion, saying, "It was not just sharing the stage; he delivered congratulatory remarks, saying 'Only true love can achieve unification,' and even signed, in his own handwriting, the 'Declaration of Unification' they drafted."
On the 8th, the district head quickly rose as the Democratic Party of Korea's Seoul mayoral candidate after receiving "public praise" from President Lee Jae-myung.