People Power Party Public Office Committee's First Meeting... Jeong Jin-seok Urges "Participate in Primaries Without Worrying About Disadvantages" (Summary)

Gonggwanwi Focuses on Opposition Unification Efforts... "For Now, According to Our Schedule"
"People Power Party Will Become a Pan-Opposition Platform" Pressure on Ahn Cheol-soo and Geum Tae-seop to Join

Jeong Jin-seok, Chairman of the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee, is attending the first meeting of the Nomination Management Committee for the April 7 by-election held at the National Assembly on the 30th, delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] Ahead of the April by-elections next year, the People Power Party’s Nomination Management Committee (NMC) officially began the nomination process for the Seoul and Busan mayoral races on the 30th.

Attention is focused on how the party will coordinate the unification of candidates with opposition figures running for Seoul mayor, such as Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop. NMC Chairperson Jeong Jin-seok made remarks effectively requesting them to join the People Power Party and participate in the primary together.

The party’s NMC held its first meeting at the National Assembly in the morning to discuss candidate selection methods. They reviewed the primary rules created last month by the Primary Preparation Committee (PPC) and began by discussing the election schedule, including the candidate application period.

Emergency Response Committee Chair Kim Jong-in also attended the meeting. Chair Kim stated, "Although this Seoul and Busan mayoral by-election arose from an unsightly blemish of sexual assault, the ruling party has reversed its promise not to field candidates and insists on nominating candidates. Since the public knows the clear truth, the election results will ultimately favor the People Power Party," expressing confidence in victory.

This NMC is receiving more attention than ever due to Ahn’s declaration to run for Seoul mayor and demands for opposition unity. Beyond nominating candidates for the by-election, they must also coordinate the creation of a unified opposition candidate. Since each candidate has differing views on the unification method, this is a challenging task.

At the meeting, NMC Chair Jeong Jin-seok effectively encouraged figures outside the party, including Ahn, to participate in the People Power Party primary. Chair Jeong said, "Everyone who agrees with the cause of ending the Moon Jae-in administration’s tyranny must join together," adding, "The People Power Party, as the main opposition party, will become the opposition platform." He emphasized, "Do not worry about disadvantages and participate in the primary. Those who do not join this cause will not escape the anger of the people who want to punish the regime."

This is interpreted as a declaration of intent to field a Seoul mayoral candidate under the People Power Party banner. Chair Jeong added, "The by-election is an opportunity for the People Power Party and its members to demonstrate to the public their capability to take over the administration," and "This nomination should serve as a precedent model to be applied in the 2022 presidential election."

When asked if the likely approach is to hold a party primary first and then unify the opposition candidate, he replied, "It is a sensitive and important issue," adding, "I believe the public’s mandate is to select the best candidate with the highest winning probability. We will conduct nomination management activities based on that foundation."

Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 24th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The NMC plans to continue encouraging participation from figures outside the party, such as Ahn, while simultaneously discussing detailed primary rules.

Previously, the party’s PPC proposed to the Emergency Response Committee a plan to select candidates advancing to the main primary based on 100% general public opinion polls, and then choose the final candidate with 20% party member votes and 80% general public opinion polls. They also reportedly suggested introducing a "100% citizen primary" considering opposition unity. Within the party, opinions differ between holding a 100% citizen primary to accommodate outside candidates and reflecting at least 10% party member opinions.

Regarding the possibility of exchanging opinions with outside candidates like Ahn during the primary rule discussions, Chair Jeong said, "No. We will proceed according to our schedule," adding, "What Ahn said (about his candidacy declaration and unification stance) sounded meaningful, but I don’t think it is a position that requires a primary response at this stage."

The method of applying additional points for female candidates, which the PPC has yet to finalize, must also be decided. Chair Jeong stated, "The party’s constitution and regulations stipulate a female bonus point system," and "We will gather the committee members’ opinions to determine at which stage and to what extent it will be applied."

Meanwhile, the NMC is composed of eight members, including five-term lawmaker Jeong Jin-seok as chairperson, Secretary-General Jeong Yang-seok, lawmakers Jeong Jeom-sik and Ahn Byung-gil, Park Myung-ho, director of the Yeouido Research Institute, Kim Soo-min, head of the party’s Public Relations Headquarters, former lawmaker Shin Ui-jin (currently a doctor at Severance Hospital), and Noh Yong-ho, senior expert of the party’s Policy Committee on Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans, and Fisheries.

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