Democratic Party Disqualifies Candidate Amid Election Scandal: What’s Next for Gwangyang’s Mayoral Race?

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The Democratic Party has disqualified Park Seong-hyun, a preliminary candidate for mayor of Gwangyang, amid allegations of illegal campaign activity.

On April 5, the Democratic Party’s Jeonnam Provincial Election Management Committee announced it will exclude Park and proceed with a two‑candidate primary between Kim Tae‑gyun and Jung In‑hwa. The primary will be held as scheduled on April 6–7 under the public participation system (50% party members, 50% secure‑number voting).

The party’s Supreme Council recommended the move, concluding that Park’s candidacy raised serious questions about his eligibility and urging the provincial committee to take strong measures, including disqualification.

Park is accused of running an illegal phone‑based campaign network and attempting to pay campaign workers. Earlier, the Jeonnam Provincial Election Commission filed complaints with police against 15 people, including the preliminary candidate and campaign operatives, over related allegations.

Investigators say they found evidence of a large group at a single location using mobile phones to conduct coordinated primary campaigning. Authorities reportedly seized several million KRW (approximately 1,500–6,750 USD) in cash, lists of campaign workers, extensive voter contact records, and voter‑preference analysis materials.

The Democratic Party’s Jeonnam chapter said, “The primary will proceed as a two‑person race and the schedule remains unchanged.” The decision reshapes the Gwangyang mayoral primary from a three‑way contest into a head‑to‑head race.