Internal backlash against lineup announcement of general elections

Internal backlash against lineup announcement of general elections. March. 17, 2016 07:16. by 송찬욱 기자song@donga.com. The Supreme Council of Saenuri Party accepted Rep. Joo Ho-yeong (third term, Suseong, Daegu)’s request that the party reconsider its decision to exclude him from the April 13 general elections. However, Joo does not seem to be included yet, as Lee Han-gu, chairman of Saenuri's Nomination Management Committee, has made it clear that the decision cannot be reversed.

Rep. Joo visited the Supreme Council on that day and said, “Among all members who applied for participation in the general elections, I am the only one who was excluded. This is against the party’s constitution and regulations, which allows bottom-up nomination.” Joo emphasized that he is the Buddhist icon of the party and his exclusion has drawn a backlash from the Buddhist community.

“I was travelling around the country to win Buddhist popularity while campaigning for the 19th general elections back in 2012. Now that most Buddhist members are excluded from the elections, there is no one to connect the political and Buddhist circles. Among Buddhists, Kang Gil-bu, Kim Tae-hwan and Kim Jang-sil have excluded, and Lee Yi-jae. Ahn Hong-jun, Jeong Moon-hun, and Park Seong-ho have lost the primary.

The party's Supreme Council, including Saenuri Party Chairman Kim Moo-sung, reportedly agreed on giving him a chance. Kim Tae-ho, a member of the Supreme Council, said at a press conference, “If Joo’s request is deemed to hold a political significance, the council can grant it even without having to take a vote on it.” Joo reportedly also appealed to members of the Nomination Management Committee for support.

However, Chairman Lee has made it clear that Joo’s request cannot be accepted because the committee’s decision was made unanimously. The committee also rejected the Supreme Council’s request that the committee reconsider its decision on Bupyeong, Incheon and Yeosu where the rule of one is applied.

Joo, who is not a candidate of the pro-Park Geun-hye faction, has declared Wednesday that he would leave the party and run for the election as an independent if the cut-off on him is not cancelled.