People Power Party Begins Preparations for By-Election Primary... 3-Term Kim Sang-hoon Appointed as Chairman (Comprehensive)

Withdrawal of Yoo Il-ho's Nomination... Clarification of Committee's Role

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] The People Power Party is starting preparations for the primary election about six months ahead of next year's Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections.

On the afternoon of the 12th, the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee held a closed meeting and approved the formation of the 4.7 By-election Primary Preparation Committee. Originally, the Emergency Response Committee planned to launch an election general countermeasures committee led by former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Yoo Il-ho that morning, but this was withdrawn. The committee's role was also scaled down and specified to focus on creating the 'primary election rules.'

Three-term lawmaker Kim Sang-hoon was appointed as the chairman. Secretary-General Kim Sun-dong was appointed as vice chairman. Other members include Emergency Response Committee member Kim Jae-seop, lawmakers Park Soo-young, Choi Seung-jae, Cho Soo-jin, Hwang Bo-seung-hee, Yeouido Research Institute Director Ji Sang-wook, former lawmakers Lim Jae-hoon and Shin Dong-woo, Professor Lee Soo-jung, and former Blue House administrator Han Oh-seop.

Spokesperson Yoon Hee-seok explained, "The primary preparation committee's top priority is to set the direction for selecting candidates for the by-election and to review the primary rules stipulated in the party's constitution and regulations." He added, "When multiple candidates emerge, the committee can filter out those who appear inappropriate to the public or have problematic past records. It aims to create an atmosphere so that candidates who meet the party's and public's expectations can be selected."

He further stated, "The party fundamentally believes that it should accept opinions not only from party members but also from the general public, and it is expected to create rules that align with the public's will, whether through Miss Trot or a national primary." Regarding the committee's composition, he said, "Since Seoul and Busan are the by-election targets, there are lawmakers from Busan and those with ties to Seoul, as well as representatives from various professions. We tried to compose it diversely."

Regarding the final withdrawal of former Deputy Prime Minister Yoo Il-ho's nomination, Spokesperson Yoon explained, "There was an opinion within the party that it would be better to prepare mainly with incumbent lawmakers," reflecting this view. He added, "I think there were some shortcomings in communication," and regarding rumors of conflict between former Bareun Party members and pro-Park factions, he emphasized, "Looking at the committee's composition, you will see that is not the case."

On the participation of Secretary-General Kim Sun-dong and lawmaker Park Soo-young, who are mentioned as potential by-election candidates, in the primary preparation committee, he said, "They have never expressed an intention to run, so it was deemed inappropriate to exclude them from the committee just because they were mentioned as candidates. Of course, if they decide to run, it is appropriate for them to resign from the committee."

The People Power Party plans to create primary election rules through the primary preparation committee and, once candidates are decided, launch a general election strategy organization such as an election countermeasures committee.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.