'Money + Organization' Party Leader Election's Generational Change?... 'Political Grammar is Changing'

Kim Woong Hits Nationwide Campaign Trail in Camper Van Instead of Camp
Lee Jun-seok Vows to Wage High-Stakes Battle via SNS and Media

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] A shift is being detected in the party convention primaries, which typically require large-scale organization and funding. This is because political newcomers are leading new changes in the People Power Party's convention.

The 'Moving Camp' scene released by the office of Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party

On the 17th, Representative Kim Woong, who is challenging the People Power Party leadership primary, will hold the launch ceremony of the "Moving Camp" (hereafter "UmCamp") at the National Assembly Communication Office. Representative Kim plans to travel nationwide using a camping car equipped for indoor meetings to meet party members and the public.

Typically, the party leadership primary requires substantial funds and manpower. It involves setting up a separate campaign office and staffing it, and since the election is conducted nationwide, organizing and staffing require considerable expenses. Moreover, costs for various promotional materials and text messages are also significant.

Representative Kim has so far advocated a "three no's" (3무) election?no separate campaign office, no text messaging, and no organizational election. Following this election principle, Representative Kim's office and UmCamp will take on the practical role of the campaign, and text message sending will be minimized.

The camping vehicle serving as the campaign office was arranged to be rented and used for two weeks, considering future debate schedules and other factors.

Representative Kim said, "By running as a candidate for party leader in this convention, I wanted to show a side that the existing party leaders have not shown before," adding, "I will sincerely convey to the public the image of relinquishing vested interests, empathizing with pain, and practicing self-sacrifice."

Lee Jun-seok, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, who is causing a stir in the party leadership primary, also announced a completely different campaign approach. In an interview with Asia Economy, Lee said, "Since this election is held amid COVID-19, organizational elections will not be possible," and added, "This election will be fought mainly through high-altitude warfare." He intends to conduct the campaign through social networking services (SNS), media interviews, and the like. He also expressed his intention to set up his office not in Yeouido but in Sanggye-dong, Nowon-gu. He said, "I will not hand out business cards separately," and added, "The younger generation prefers pressing an SNS 'like' rather than shaking hands. The way of communication seems to be changing."

Lee, the former Supreme Council member, said, "Organizational power cannot be mobilized like before," and added, "With COVID-19, no one can gather, so organizational power cannot exert influence."

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