정직하지 못한 서울시장 후보? 정 후보의 골프 참석 논란 분석

Park Ju‑min, the Democratic Party’s candidate in the Seoul mayoral primary, reiterated his camp’s accusations about Jeong Won‑ho’s ties to Deutsche Motors. Jeong maintains he attended a company‑sponsored golf event only as a guest, but the campaign says photos show he actually played there.

On March 23, Choi Hye‑young, communications chief for Park’s campaign, issued a statement saying Jeong claimed he attended as a guest, but it appears he participated in a round and played golf. She added that if someone is the Democratic Party’s nominee for Seoul mayor, they must be honest with Seoul residents and party members.

Earlier, opposition figures alleged collusion between Jeong and Deutsche Motors, arguing that after Deutsche Motors began donating to the Seongdong District Office, the administrative procedures for the company’s headquarters relocation proceeded unusually quickly. Critics also pointed out that Jeong attended a Deutsche Motors‑sponsored golf tournament in 2025 and reportedly dined at the head table with Kwon Hyuk‑min, Deutsche Motors’ CEO, which raised questions about the closeness of their relationship.

At a March 20 Democratic Party debate for Seoul mayoral candidates at JTBC’s Mapo studio, Park criticized Jeong, saying the Deutsche Motors stock‑manipulation case required a full party investigation and that it was difficult to understand attending and accepting sponsorship from a company that has been under continuous investigation over alleged stock manipulation.

Jeong pushed back, saying he attended the event as a guest and that the tournament was hosted and organized by the Seongdong District Sports Association and the Golf Association. He said any fundraising was routed through the Community Chest of Korea.

After Jeong continued to deny the allegations, Choi released photos showing him playing golf at the tournament.

Choi said the campaign had confirmed he played golf there, not merely attended as a guest, and emphasized that attending as a guest and actively playing are fundamentally different acts — not something the person could reasonably confuse.

She added that vetting candidates from the same party during a primary is never pleasant, but the Seoul mayor’s office carries the heavy responsibility of serving 10 million residents. Anyone seeking that role must be able to tell the truth to the public.

She warned that scrutiny in the general election will be far more intense than in the primary, and said if a candidate cannot pass this basic level of vetting, the party could face serious risks in the general election.

Choi argued that politics begins with trust, and asked whether a candidate who cannot answer simple questions honestly can stand truthfully before a large, complex city like Seoul.

Addressing Jeong directly, she urged him to explain himself candidly to the public and party members and said that if he reconsiders whether he is fit to stand before citizens, she hopes he will make a courageous decision.

Choi also pledged that Park will welcome any scrutiny and promised to present a candidate who will not be ashamed before voters. She warned that the truth cannot be hidden and will be revealed.

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