Kim Hong-gyu, Democratic Party Clash Over Gangneung Mayoral Election

Amid allegations of election interference by the Gangneung Sports Council, the dispute between People Power Party candidate for Gangneung mayor, Kim Hong-gyu, and the Democratic Party has intensified. The allegations of election interference by the Gangneung Sports Council have become a key issue in the Gangneung mayoral election, following related statements.

Kim Hong-gyu's camp held a press conference on May 26, criticizing the Democratic Party's Gangneung city councilors for raising the allegations as a "political attack" and demanding evidence and an apology. Kim's camp stated that his spouse merely responded to requests for personnel appointments from sports council officials or staff, whom they did not know well.

Democratic Party Gangneung city councilors, in a statement released on May 25, characterized the allegations of election interference by the Gangneung Sports Council as an "abuse of power and coercion election" concern. They criticized that if a responsible party within the Gangneung Sports Council mobilized staff during working hours to create a setting for supporting a specific candidate and tried to exert political influence, it would undermine public trust.

Controversy erupted after a recording was reported showing Kim Hong-gyu's spouse and Gangneung Sports Council Chairman Kwon Young-man appealing for support for a specific candidate at a gathering of sports council employees and others.

The election committee for Democratic Party Gangneung mayoral candidate Kim Joong-nam held a press conference on May 26, urging an investigation into the Gangneung Sports Council. The Democratic Party has filed a complaint with the National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency and is demanding searches and seizures of the Gangneung Sports Council and the arrest of all involved parties from the prosecution, police, and the election commission.