A preliminary candidate in the Osan mayoral race who had been dogged by controversy has been disqualified.
On April 12, the Gyeonggi Provincial Democratic Party announced it had stripped former Rep. Cha Ji-ho’s ex-aide, Choi Byeong-min, of his candidacy. The party’s Election Management Committee said that, under Party Regulation No. 8 and Article 9 on sanctions for electoral fraud, Choi was disqualified for engaging in prohibited acts—specifically, illegal electioneering—during the primary.
The decision follows complaints filed by Osan civic organizations and rival mayoral candidates accusing Choi of illegal campaign activity.
The Osan Citizens’ Coalition said Choi used staff from a government-subsidized organization to conduct unlawful campaigning and filed a complaint with the Gyeonggi Election Commission the day before, alleging violations of the Public Official Election Act.
According to the coalition, Choi’s team allegedly mobilized seven to eight employees from an organization linked to a senior tailored-care service to run coordinated promotion and persuasion activities in support of his candidacy. The group also alleges that Choi personally visited the site and solicited backing with remarks to the effect of “please support me,” which the coalition characterized as illegal electioneering.
The civic group said using public organizations and their staff for campaign purposes “seriously undermines the fairness and neutrality of elections.” It added that, because the activity involved subsidy-funded personnel, occurred collectively at a location other than a campaign office, and was carried out systematically under managers’ directions, the conduct appears to be a serious violation of the Public Official Election Act.
Democratic Party Osan mayoral primary candidates Kim Min-ju and Cho Yong-ho also called for an immediate investigation and swift action against Choi at a press conference the same day.
A disqualified candidate may appeal to the party’s Central Ethics Tribunal within three days of receiving notice.
