Is So Young-ho Legally Qualified? Key Insights on the Controversy Surrounding His Candidacy

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So Young-ho, the Democratic Party’s preliminary candidate for Jangseong County mayor, said on the 24th that reviews found no legal or procedural defects in challenges to his eligibility to run.

Speaking at a press conference at the South Jeolla Provincial Council, So argued that the eligibility concerns raised by some parties had already been resolved through the party’s bylaws and formal review procedures.

He said the Democratic Party’s central committee and the South Jeolla provincial party have officially confirmed him as an exception-approved candidate, and stressed that, having passed vetting, he will not be swayed by political attacks and will compete on policy and vision.

He warned that repeatedly spreading claims that he lacks eligibility or other false information—despite the party’s confirmation—could amount to clear falsehoods, and said he would consider pursuing strong legal action if such behavior continues.

The press conference was a rebuttal to statements made the previous day by three other Democratic Party preliminary candidates—Kim Han-jong, Park No-won and Yoo Seong-su—who said the eligibility review for Jangseong County mayoral candidates raised concerns about fairness.

At their joint news conference, the three argued that party rules require an applicant to be a registered party member at the time of application and that registered members must meet requirements regarding entry timing and payment of membership dues.

They said there was reasonable doubt about whether those standards were properly applied to a specific candidate and urged the Democratic Party’s central committee and the South Jeolla provincial party to provide an explanation.

On the 20th, the Democratic Party’s South Jeolla provincial party announced it had confirmed four preliminary candidates for Jangseong County mayor: Kim Han-jong, Park No-won, Yoo Seong-su and So Young-ho.