NEW YORK—Members of the Korean community in Queens are questioning the integrity of comptroller candidate John Liu after his recent denial that he ever supported John Choe, Liu’s former chief of staff who ran for Liu’s city council seat in the primary elections.
The Korean-language newspaper, The Korea Times, printed two articles on the issue. A story published on Sept. 16, claims Liu manipulated the Korean community to win votes for his own campaign.
It also says by supporting Choe, Liu split the Korean vote between two Koreans—Choe and S.J. Jung, thus allowing Chinese candidate Yen Chou to win by approximately 100 votes.
It says that since Liu supported Choe, the Korean community supported Liu in his comptroller campaign. “This is a highly calculated strategy to split the Korean community,” says the article.
According to the article, Liu’s about-face was preceded by the appearance of Liu and Yen Chou together on campaign posters as the elections drew near.
Choe’s campaign Web site says John Liu endorsed John Choe. Next to a photo of the two together, a quote from Choe also says, “It is so gratifying to have Councilman Liu’s full support in my campaign to succeed him in the City Council.”
The Web site of the Asian Pacific Americans for Progress also states that Choe was endorsed by Liu.
After the primary elections, Liu’s office denied that Liu ever supported Choe.
Sharon Lee, the media spokesperson from John Liu’s office told the Korea Times, “This year, John Liu supported only William Thompson and did not officially support any other candidate.”
John Choe told the Korea Times, “I was really supported by John Liu. This is a personal comment, but it is the fact. He told me he supported me.”
The Korean-language newspaper, The Korea Times, printed two articles on the issue. A story published on Sept. 16, claims Liu manipulated the Korean community to win votes for his own campaign.
It also says by supporting Choe, Liu split the Korean vote between two Koreans—Choe and S.J. Jung, thus allowing Chinese candidate Yen Chou to win by approximately 100 votes.
It says that since Liu supported Choe, the Korean community supported Liu in his comptroller campaign. “This is a highly calculated strategy to split the Korean community,” says the article.
According to the article, Liu’s about-face was preceded by the appearance of Liu and Yen Chou together on campaign posters as the elections drew near.
Choe’s campaign Web site says John Liu endorsed John Choe. Next to a photo of the two together, a quote from Choe also says, “It is so gratifying to have Councilman Liu’s full support in my campaign to succeed him in the City Council.”
The Web site of the Asian Pacific Americans for Progress also states that Choe was endorsed by Liu.
After the primary elections, Liu’s office denied that Liu ever supported Choe.
Sharon Lee, the media spokesperson from John Liu’s office told the Korea Times, “This year, John Liu supported only William Thompson and did not officially support any other candidate.”
John Choe told the Korea Times, “I was really supported by John Liu. This is a personal comment, but it is the fact. He told me he supported me.”
The Community Reacts
A second article published by the Korea Times outlines Liu’s support of Choe. It states that through actions including bringing Choe on stage during speeches and asking people to vote for him, in “all the campaign offices of John Choe, nobody doubted that John Liu supported John Choe.”In an interview with The Epoch Times, Thomas Choi, president of the Pan American Freedom Protection League, described the feeling of betrayal he says the Korean community has been voicing over Liu’s change in support.
“It’s a big deal and he lied to us. He says he did not endorse John Choe. It’s a big deal for the Korean community right now. Everyone is talking about it,” said Choi.
“[Liu] is cheating people,” Choi said. “He is very smart at lying to people.”
Besides articles in the Korea Times, the switch was discussed on Radio Korea on Sept. 19 during a two-hour panel discussion on the Christian Chang Talk Show. Choi was one of the guests.
Choi added that Liu and Choe both have ties to communist regimes—Choe with the North Korean regime, and Liu with the Chinese Communist Party. In regards to Liu’s recent switch of support, Choi said, “Those communist people, they’re cheating each other. They’re not working as family.”
Choe is a founder of Nodutdol, which was labeled as one of the three New York organizations controlled by North Korea, according to reports from Korean-language newspapers in 2003. Choe has also been outspoken against “American imperialism.” He gave a speech on the subject at the May 2006 “Preparing for the Rebirth of the Global Struggle for Socialism” conference.
But while Liu may have gained political advantage with his maneuver, it may come at the expense of his long-term credibility, suggests Pyun Chunsoo, former president of the East West Educational Center.
“The more the Korean community knows about him ... people are getting angrier toward him because a lot of Koreans believed he was going to be really good for the Korean community,” said Chunsoo. “Not many people criticize him but recently they’re losing all kinds of confidence in him.”
Support for Liu in his council district in Flushing, Queens has also been waning, said Julia Harrison, a former NYC council member for 16 years who has lived in Flushing since 1954.
“He’s not too favorably regarded by too many people living here,” said Harrison.
Harrison said Liu’s sweatshop claim lost him the support of many older Asian residents in his district. She said that by making it the corner of his campaign, “he shot himself in the foot.”
She added that there is heavy concern around Liu’s campaign for comptroller. Harrison said it is equivalent to “putting the fox in the hen house.”
“He’s such a phony,” said Harrison. “It’s really pathetic that he hasn’t been exposed.”
No response was received from questions to John Liu’s office in time for the publication of this article.
But while Liu may have gained political advantage with his maneuver, it may come at the expense of his long-term credibility, suggests Pyun Chunsoo, former president of the East West Educational Center.
“The more the Korean community knows about him ... people are getting angrier toward him because a lot of Koreans believed he was going to be really good for the Korean community,” said Chunsoo. “Not many people criticize him but recently they’re losing all kinds of confidence in him.”
Support for Liu in his council district in Flushing, Queens has also been waning, said Julia Harrison, a former NYC council member for 16 years who has lived in Flushing since 1954.
“He’s not too favorably regarded by too many people living here,” said Harrison.
Harrison said Liu’s sweatshop claim lost him the support of many older Asian residents in his district. She said that by making it the corner of his campaign, “he shot himself in the foot.”
She added that there is heavy concern around Liu’s campaign for comptroller. Harrison said it is equivalent to “putting the fox in the hen house.”
“He’s such a phony,” said Harrison. “It’s really pathetic that he hasn’t been exposed.”
No response was received from questions to John Liu’s office in time for the publication of this article.
![[LIVE 4/26 at 10:30AM ET] New Push Started for Global Digital Currencies](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fimg.theepochtimes.com%2Fassets%2Fuploads%2F2024%2F04%2F19%2Fid5633115-0426-1080x720.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
