Kim Yong-nam and Cho Kuk Clash Fiercely Over 'Genuine Candidate' Claims

Kim Yong-nam, the candidate for the Democratic Party in the Pyeongtaek B parliamentary by-election scheduled for June 3, and Cho Kuk, the candidate for the Cho Kuk Innovation Party, are engaged in a heated war of words over who is the 'real' or 'genuine' candidate as the election enters its final stages.

On May 31, Cho Kuk criticized the Democratic Party's Pyeongtaek B candidate and some party leaders for ignoring the expansion of the democratic reform camp, asserting that the Democratic Party's leadership is going against the wishes of Pyeongtaek citizens and the nation. Cho's remarks were a counterattack against Cho Seung-rae, the Democratic Party's chief campaign strategist, who had described Cho Kuk as a 'fake Democratic Party candidate' during a rally supporting Kim Yong-nam the previous day, demanding he 'take off the Democratic Party mask'.

Kim Yong-nam's campaign team demanded that the Cho Kuk Innovation Party stop its 'fake Democratic Party marketing,' pointing out that the party's lawmakers entered the National Assembly through the 'pro-Minjoo, anti-Cho Kuk' (지민비조) strategy in the last general election. In response, the Cho Kuk Innovation Party campaign fought back by highlighting controversies surrounding Kim Yong-nam, stating that it is common courtesy to voters for him to explain allegations that he recently operated a loan shark business.

This 'real vs. fake candidate' controversy could impact each party's identity and their ability to rally their supporters, potentially confusing voters or leaving a negative impression on certain candidates.