20th of March 2016
Candidate Ee Hyehun
As part of the Saenuri party’s election process for the Seochgap elections, it was determined thatv previous member of parliament Ee Hyehun beat former head of the State Affairs Committee Jo Yunseon for the nomination. Jo is a member of the pro-president Bak Geunhye faction. Jo fought a hard battle, but observers have noted the strife which emerged from the nomination process.
After an intense conflict which had attracted concern, it appears that Daegu “Yuseungingye” candidate Gim Sanghun and pro-Bak faction member former Senior Secretary to the President for Public Affairs Yun Duhyeon moved to head off growing backlash caused by the strife of the election [by ensuring that Jo dropped out of the contest].
Member of parliament for active soldiers Shim Yunjo and MP Han Giho had earlier dropped out of the contest having conceded defeat. Seong Iljong, an adjunct professor at Goreyeo University and younger brother of deceased parliamentary liaison for Gyeonsangnam province Seong Wanjong, beat Chungnam Sasantae’s MP Gim Jaeshik for that nomination.
In Seoul Gu Seonghan, a former MP, Gim Hyojae, a former head of the State Affairs Committee and Choi Hongjae, who has held a previous post in the administration all earned a nomination. Member of the “Gim Museong Group” in Busan, MP Bak Minshik, and Gyeongsang MPs Han Seongyo and No Cheollae found themselves with their names on the ticket.
The nominations concerning Gim Museong himself, Seo Cheongwong and other supreme council membership positions are still to be announced. Ee Hangu, Saenuri Administrative Manager, said “I can’t say much about anything at the moment” when asked whether Gim Museong would be appointed as a representative to the supreme council.