Kim Min-seok Raises Shincheonji Issue, Shaking Convention Landscape and Renewing Focus on Honam Shincheonji Organizational Power

The matter became a focal point early in the convention, and attention gathered on how it may have affected the election outcome.

He said Kim's remarks blurred the clear battle lines, resulting in a shake-up of the framework itself. He added that Kim himself showed a momentary wavering.

The analysis suggests the intent may have been to provide voters in Honam with information in advance to block Shincheonji's attempts to interfere in the convention. He assessed that such remarks actually halted Shincheonji's movements to some extent.

He explained that activist organizing theory was combined with the Shincheonji organization, expanding by seizing control of specific organizations and turning them into its own power base. This explains the strong organizational power of Shincheonji forces in the Honam region and their background.

This means Shincheonji has already penetrated deeply into Honam. He interpreted Kim Min-seok's remarks as possibly intended to prevent Shincheonji from systematically expanding its forces and forming networks with specific candidates.

The photos raised suspicions of a link between Shincheonji and politics, and the matter is currently under investigation by investigative authorities. Park Won-seok criticized bringing Lee Jae-myung into the middle of the convention in this way as a 'tremendous mistake.'

Kim Yong-min pointed out that Shincheonji had tried to use material related to Chairman Chung Chung-rae, and that Park Si-young and Lee Ji-eun took it up, which escalated the problem. Although they tried to free Chung Chung-rae from suspicions related to Shincheonji, they ended up releasing photos related to Lee Jae-myung, drawing Lee into the controversy as well. He criticized the result as an attempt to defend Chung Chung-rae that backfired onto Lee Jae-myung.

He assessed that even supporters of candidate Chung Chung-rae felt it was a 'big mistake,' particularly regarding Park Si-young TV and Park Si-young personally. He said with this political sensibility, continuing political activity in the Democratic Party would be difficult, and strongly criticized Lee Ji-eun's remarks as a 'political retirement cue' over this matter.

However, he responded that it remains uncertain what effect such remarks would actually have on candidate Chung Chung-rae.

This shows there was a past political connection between Chu Mi-ae and candidate Kim Min-seok.

Park Won-seok analyzed that Gov. Chu Mi-ae's endorsement of Jung Chung-rae would not be of much help to Jung Chung-rae. The point is that the members who would be influenced by Chu Mi-ae's endorsement are likely already supporting Jung Chung-rae, so it lacks expansive potential. He also noted that, given Gov. Chu Mi-ae's history of 'friendly fire,' Jung Chung-rae would likely find this support unwelcome, and Park Won-seok cited her impeachment of Roh Moo-hyun as the pinnacle of her 'friendly fire.'

Kim Yong-min speculated that by endorsing Jung Chung-rae even while aware of his possible defeat, Chu Mi-ae may be embracing the so-called 'Team Kim Eo-jun' forces and drawing a larger political picture for the 2030s.

He pointed out that this looks like another 'friendly fire.'

Park Won-seok said that while Im Mi-ae is also excellent but already well known, Seo Mi-hwa was someone he had not known at all, and he was greatly impressed that, despite being visually impaired, she showed positive energy and a bright expression with no sense of gloom.

This suggests that the two candidates' styles and messages reached voters at different points.

Kim Yong-min said that beyond Seo Mi-hwa rising as a prominent politician despite her visual impairment, her unhesitant use of the Jeolla dialect is very admirable. He said that many people in Honam had been busy hiding their Honam identity, but seeing Seo Mi-hwa speak the dialect loudly brought them comfort. Kim Yong-min expressed hope that if Seo Mi-hwa is elected with a high vote share, it would bring a positive change to the Democratic Party's political culture.

He explained that with Song Young-gil in the race, votes would be split in a three-way contest, and Song Young-gil could win a substantial share of votes in the Honam region. The analysis is therefore that securing a first-round majority would be difficult.

Park Won-seok said he trusts the atmosphere on the ground and predicted that something remarkable will happen in the Honam region. He reported that the mood around him is that Kim Min-seok will receive an overwhelming number of votes this time. Based on Song Young-gil's recognition, but since Jung Chung-rae showed considerable vote-getting power in earlier rounds, the analysis is that votes in Honam are likely to concentrate on Kim Min-seok through strategic choices.

Park Won-seok pointed out that many scandals have emerged from Jung Chung-rae's inner circle recently, and predicted that punitive voting could follow. He expressed concern that Jung Chung-rae's attitude in the debate, namely responding to uncomfortable or unfavorable questions with non-answers or by seemingly dismissing opponents, could provoke voters' resentment. He added that his emotional response to Kim Min-seok, calling him a 'traitor,' also left a bad impression.

This could be aimed at portraying the opponent as arrogant and contemptuous of others while highlighting himself as the weaker side to win sympathy votes. Kim Yong-min assessed that Jung Chung-rae has such instinctive quick-wittedness, suggesting that such a strategic intent may have been present.