Former Governor Kim Young-hwan Faces Controversy Over 'Regional Disparagement' Remarks

Former Chungbuk Governor Kim Young-hwan sparked controversy last month by posting disparaging remarks about regions on Facebook, including "Jeonlado's bad habits." While criticizing Lee Jung-hyun, the nomination committee chairman who excluded him from the party ticket, Kim used the phrase "Why do people from Jeonlado have to call the shots?" and added, "I will show Jeonlado's bad habits and the fate of traitors."

As the controversy grew, Kim modified the text to refer to "the nomination committee chairman's wrongdoings," though the original wording remains in the Facebook edit history. Kim had protested that the nomination process had significant flaws, citing a court ruling, but escalated the controversy by linking it to criticism of regional sentiment. Kim later explained the remarks were not intended as regional disparagement but as a criticism of unfair nominations by the party leadership.

Kim Young-hwan's political career was fostered with support from the Honam political circle, having been recruited by former President Kim Dae-jung, served four terms as a lawmaker for the Millennium Democratic Party, and held the position of Minister of Science and Technology.

Meanwhile, following lawyer Yoon Gap-geun's victory in the preliminary primary on the 17th, Kim is set to face voters again in the final round, having advanced via a walkover after a preliminary injunction was granted.