Party calls for investigation
The People Power Party urged on November 9 that the police should swiftly investigate allegations of false fact dissemination related to Democratic Party of Korea-affiliated Gangwon Governor Woo Sang-ho’s AI Data Center (AIDC) attraction. Governor Woo claimed during the June 3 local elections that the attraction of a 70 trillion Korean won AI Data Center had been finalized, but after taking office, Woo reportedly changed position to suggest it had not yet been confirmed. In October, the People Power Party’s Party Audit Committee and others filed a complaint with the police over these allegations.
People Power Party Representative Lee Chul-gyu stated at a National Assembly press conference on November 9, “While the Gangwon Provincial Police Agency is investigating, it remains sluggish with no seizure or search conducted,” and demanded, “We ask for a thorough investigation under strict legal standards and immediate referral of the case.” The press conference was attended by former Gwangju High Prosecutors’ Office chief Oh Sae-in, the legal representative for the complaint.
They argued, “During the local elections, Governor Woo claimed success in attracting the Gangneung AIDC and stated that a final agreement had been reached with the top owner of one of the country’s five major conglomerates,” adding, “Woo repeatedly announced that this would create 70 trillion Korean won in investment and 200,000 new jobs.” They continued, “However, after the election, Governor Woo changed the narrative, saying, ‘I was unaware of the substation issue before the election,’” and asserted, “Claiming the AIDC attraction was finalized without resolving the power issue is a logical impossibility and a blatant lie.”
They emphasized, “Governor Woo’s remarks were active and deliberate claims about personal achievements, and considering their impact on voters, they are far more severe than former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s alleged false fact dissemination.”
Gangneung by-election context
The ruling and opposition parties have already entered the election race ahead of the Gangwon Gangneung National Assembly by-election on April 7, 2027. Democratic Party Representative Kim Min-seok visited Gangneung in October and stated, “Gangneung citizens will judge the responsibility and cause for the by-election.” Kim reiterated that the by-election was necessitated after former People Power Party Representative Kweon Seong-dong received a prison sentence for allegedly receiving illegal political funds from the Unification Church.
The People Power Party is countering by labeling Governor Woo’s AI Data Center attraction as a “pledge fraud.” The party lost the Gangneung mayoral seat to the Democratic Party for the first time in its history during the June local elections, despite the region’s strong conservative leanings.
Original article: Chosun Ilbo
English brief by Korea Wind Intelligence, koreawindintel.com
