Aide says presidential office will not get involved in selecting candidates

In May the president’s office was suspected of influencing the People Power Party in pushing its policies in exchange for guaranteeing the party's nomination for next year's parliamentary election.

Lee Jin-bok, president's senior secretary on political affairs, speaks to reporter after meeting with the head of the People Power Party's innovation committee, Ihn Yo-han, also known as John Linton, at the party's headquarters in Seoul on Wednesday. [NEWS1]

The presidential office has no plans to become involved in next year’s parliamentary election.

“Reform cannot succeed unless everyone moves as a single unit,” Lee Jin-bok, the president’s senior secretary on political affairs, said after meeting Ihn Yo-han, head of the People Power Party’s innovation committee on Tuesday.

“[However] there will be no involvement from the president’s office regarding the nomination of candidates for next year’s parliamentary election,” Lee said.

The senior secretary emphasized that, as the president frequently states, the president’s office has absolutely no intention to engage in selecting candidates for next year’s election or managing the party itself.

“However,” Lee said, “the PPP has to work closely with the government in shaping policies and visions for the country’s future.”

Lee told reporters he had congratulated Ihn and thanked him for stepping in during challenging times.

Lee said he advised the new head of the innovation committee to listen to a wide range of opinions that can contribute to the party’s reform.

“Given [Ihn’s] style, I believe he will,” Lee said in response to an earlier comment by Ihn about speaking candidly to President Yoon.

“It’s in his nature to speak his mind regardless of who the person is.”

In May, the president’s office was suspected of influencing the political party after the senior secretary reportedly told Rep. Thae Yong-ho to advocate President Yoon’s effort to improve the relationship with Japan.

In exchange, Lee reportedly told the politician that his nomination to run as the party’s candidate in next year’s election would be guaranteed.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]