【브레이크뉴스 대구】이성현 기자=국민의힘 대구시장 공천 과정을 둘러싼 논란이 확산되며 지역 정치권의 반발이 이어지고 있다. 공정한 경선을 약속했던 당 지도부의 입장과 공천 결과 사이의 괴리를 두고 비판이 제기되는 상황이다.

▲     ©

지난 22일 오전, 장동혁 대표는 대구시당에서 지역 국회의원들과 연석회의를 갖고 “지역 민심을 존중하고 인위적인 중진 배제는 없을 것”이라는 입장을 밝혔다. 그러나 이후 발표된 공천관리위원회의 컷오프 결과에서는 여론조사 상위권 후보들과 일부 중진 인사들이 배제되면서 논란이 불거졌다.

공천 심사를 총괄한 이정현 위원장의 결정과 관련해 지역 정치권에서는 절차와 기준의 투명성을 요구하는 목소리가 나오고 있다. 특히 당 지도부의 사전 발언과 결과 사이에 차이가 있다는 점에서 비판이 집중되고 있다.

일부 정치권에서는 이번 공천 과정이 특정 인물에게 유리하게 작용한 것 아니냐는 의혹도 제기되고 있다. 다만 이와 관련한 구체적인 사실은 확인되지 않은 상태로, 당 안팎에서 다양한 해석이 이어지고 있다.

컷오프 대상에 포함된 인사들은 즉각 반발하며 대응에 나섰다. 주호영 의원은 “여론조사 상위권 후보 배제는 납득하기어렵다”며 공천 결정에 문제를 제기했고, 법적 대응 가능성도 시사했다.

또한 이진숙 예비후보 역시 “경선의 공정성에 대한 설명이 필요하다”며 지도부에 해명을 요구했다. 당내에서는 공천 기준과 결정 과정에 대한 보다 명확한 설명이 필요하다는 지적이 이어지고 있다.

연석회의에 참석했던 권영진 의원도 공개적으로 유감을 표하며 “당 지도부의 입장과 결과 사이의 간극이 크다”고 지적했다.

이번 사태를 계기로 대구 지역 당원과 정치권에서는 중앙당 공천 방식에 대한 불신이 커지고 있으며, 향후 경선 과정과 결과에 적지 않은 영향을 미칠 것으로 보인다. 일각에서는 법적 대응 가능성까지 거론되면서 갈등이 장기화될 수 있다는 전망도 나온다.

<구글 번역으로 번역한 영문 기사의 전문 입니다. 번역에 오류가 있을 수 있음을 밝힙니다.>

 Was it a ‘Mockery Show for Daegu Citizens’? The True Face of a ‘Fair Primary’ Overturned Before the Ink Had Even Dried

Daegu Public Sentiment Enraged by Jang Dong-hyuk’s ‘Irresponsibility,’ Lee Jung-hyun’s ‘Autocracy,’ and a Rigged Game

Daegu’s trust has been butchered. Daegu citizens and the local political scene are now engulfed in a massive sense of betrayal, having witnessed promises made just hours earlier—such as a “fair primary” and “no cut-offs for senior members”—go straight into the trash can in less than half a day. Criticism is spreading like wildfire that this entire process was a “planned scenario” designed to promote a specific individual.

‘Morning Promises, Afternoon Betrayals’… A Deceptive Joint Meeting

On the morning of the 22nd, the atmosphere was mild when Representative Jang Dong-hyuk held a joint meeting with local lawmakers at the Daegu City Party headquarters. Representative Jang reassured the citizens of Daegu, stating, “We respect local public sentiment, and there will be no artificial exclusion of senior members.” However, even before he left Daegu and arrived in Seoul, the "cut-off" blade wielded by Nomination Committee Chairman Lee Jung-hyun ruthlessly cut down leading candidates vying for first and second place in opinion polls, as well as incumbent veteran politicians.

Criticism is pouring in from local political circles, labeling this a "sophisticated double-dealing by Jang Dong-hyuk and Lee Jung-hyun." Critics point out that this is a classic case of "rigged games," where the party leader appeases public sentiment on the ground with "carrots," while the Nomination Committee Chairman carries out a de facto "purge" behind the scenes.

In particular, the promise Chairman Jang made to reporters—that he would "do whatever is possible as party leader"—turned into an ironic dagger for the citizens of Daegu. The truth the citizens realized immediately after the promise was overturned was cold. Citizens were appalled to discover that he could do nothing as party leader and, in fact, lacked even the will to do so, admitting that they had been deceived.

A local political insider fiercely criticized Representative Jang, stating, “Representative Jang’s visit to Daegu today was not to listen to public sentiment, but merely a ‘safety net’ to preemptively block the backlash that would erupt ahead of the ‘nomination massacre.’ He came down with nothing but the intention of deceiving the citizens of Daegu, without any countermeasures or thought.”

Rumors of the ‘Lee Jin-sook Project’… Has the Next Target Already Been Set?

Specific suspicions are being raised regarding where the fallout from this cut-off is headed. Rumors are widespread in political circles that this situation is a preliminary step to “make Lee Jin-sook a lawmaker.” The argument is that by eliminating leading competitors before the primary, they intend to pave a “flower path” for a specific individual. Consequently, local politics is in great turmoil. Although unconfirmed, these allegations have been consistently raised, and doubts are growing. In particular, with the names of the next candidates to be cut off being specifically mentioned in connection with this, the transparency of the nomination process has already hit rock bottom. Citizens are watching with concerned eyes to see what "bizarre" political maneuvers will be mobilized to trample on Daegu's pride.

"Daegu is not a rubber stamp"... Intensifying resistance; Chaos and anger in Daegu's political circles

Daegu citizens are signaling action beyond mere anger. Voices are erupting even among party members asking, "How can we trust a party that reverses its promises before the ink has even dried?"

Immediately after the nomination committee's announcement, the candidates subject to the cut-off unanimously declared their stance of "unacceptability," signaling a head-on clash.

Representative Joo Ho-young sharply criticized the decision, stating, "Chairman Lee Jung-hyun's decision is a declaration of abandoning the Daegu mayoral election," and adding, "Excluding candidates who ranked first and second in opinion polls is an act of tyranny based on a political scheme with a predetermined conclusion." Defining this situation as an "uncontrolled runaway of privatized nomination power," Rep. Joo made clear his intention to take a hardline stance, stating he would seek judicial rulings, such as filing for an injunction with the court. Preliminary candidate Lee Jin-sook also reacted angrily, stating, “Excluding the overwhelming frontrunner without grounds is an act that disregards the will of the citizens.” Candidate Lee strongly condemned the leadership’s irresponsibility, asking, “I want to ask why the fair primary election promised by Representative Jang Dong-hyuk until this morning was overturned in less than half a day.”

A sense of betrayal is reaching its peak among local lawmakers and the political sphere. Representative Kwon Young-jin, who attended the meeting with Representative Jang, vented his strong dissatisfaction on social media, asking, “A promise not kept for even half a day—is this a violation by Representative Jang Dong-hyuk or an act of arrogance by Chairman Lee Jung-hyun?” and asking, “Is it acceptable to mock the citizens of Daegu like this?”

Criticism is spreading among party members and citizens that the central party views Daegu merely as a “political testing ground” or a target for “strategic maneuvering.” With leading candidates defecting and legal battles anticipated, Daegu, the People Power Party's traditional stronghold, is expected to become the biggest battleground and the epicenter of internal strife in this local election.

The "Daegu mockery show" orchestrated by Chairman Lee Jung-hyun and Representative Jang Dong-hyuk appears likely to boomerang back. Public sentiment in Daegu is sharpening the blade of cold judgment against their actions, which operate behind a pre-arranged script while wearing the mask of fairness.