“In the scene captured from the election campaign of the Democratic Party, it appeared as though the candidates were being given ‘military exercises,’ leading to controversy that is spreading. On the 24th, at the Democratic Party’s campaign event at the Ok-gok Market in Gwangyang City, Jeollanam-do, onlookers witnessed supporter A taking the microphone and giving commands such as ‘attention,’ ‘at ease,’ ‘sit down,’ and ‘stand up’ to the local election candidates lined up in front of the campaign vehicle.
Most of the candidates, including the mayoral and local council candidates of Gwangyang, followed the instructions.
When A saw their movements, he further commanded, ‘look at their movement, prone position,’ and some candidates actually lay down on the ground.
Min Hyeong-bae, a candidate for the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Market, who was watching, apologized by stating, ‘The person leading a moment ago was being excessive. They tried to make it amusing, but it was a bit too much. I apologize.’
In response, the independent candidate Park Seong-hyun’s camp for the Gwangyang mayoral race commented, ‘In broad daylight on the streets, those who claim to be mayors, provincial council members, and city council members were lined up doing prone position exercises. This is not merely an over-exaggeration but reflects the blind obedience to the candidate nomination power and the ingrained authoritarianism in their subconscious.’
Kwon Hyang-yeop, head of the Democratic Party’s Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye districts, wrote on SNS on the 25th, ‘A supporter grabbed the microphone and engaged in unexpected behavior reminiscent of a military roll call with the candidates. I deeply apologize,’ and added, ‘We plan to dismiss the individual from their campaign committee position and submit a disciplinary petition to the Jeonnam provincial party.'”