Rising Star Storm in Opposition Politics... Party Convention Reshaped into 'Stability vs Innovation' Framework

First-term Lawmakers Throw Hat in the Ring for Party Leader and Supreme Council Member
Na Kyung-won and Lee Jun-seok Also Officially Announce Candidacy

Former Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, Lee Jun-seok / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok, Geum Bo-ryeong, Park Joon-yi] The ruling People Power Party's leadership race is seeing a strong wave of 'political newcomers' not only in the party leader election but also in the supreme council member race. The election dynamics, previously framed as 'Yeongnam vs. Non-Yeongnam,' appear to be shifting towards 'stability vs. innovation,' driven by the strong performance of first-term lawmakers emphasizing reform.

On the morning of the 20th, former lawmaker Na Kyung-won declared her candidacy for party leader, followed by former supreme council member Lee Jun-seok officially announcing his run in the afternoon. With these two, who are leading the polls for party leadership candidates, officially entering the race, the candidate lineup has been finalized at 10. Those who have previously announced their intention to run include veteran lawmakers Joo Ho-young, Yoon Young-seok, Cho Hae-jin, Cho Kyung-tae, and Hong Moon-pyo; first-term lawmakers Kim Woong and Kim Eun-hye; and former lawmaker Shin Sang-jin.

Declarations of candidacy for the supreme council member positions, which had been overlooked until recently, are also increasing. Just a few days ago, there were only about five candidates (lawmakers Bae Hyun-jin, former lawmaker Kim Jae-won, former Future United Party organization deputy chief Won Young-seop, Cheon Gang-jeong, chairman of the Gyeonggi Province Dental Doctor Networking Committee, and former Goyang-jeong party district chief Cho Dae-won), but the addition of first-term lawmakers has changed the landscape. On this day, lawmaker Lee Young entered the supreme council race, and lawmaker Lee Yong joined the youth quota supreme council election. Additionally, former lawmaker Jung Mi-kyung and Kim Yong-tae, party district chief of Gwangmyeong, Gyeonggi Province, also threw their hats into the ring for supreme council member.

The People Power Party's national convention is witnessing an unprecedented surge of challenges from political newcomers. Notably, although former supreme council member Lee Jun-seok, who is considered a mid-level politician despite not being re-elected as a lawmaker, and first-term lawmaker Kim Woong are ranking high in party leader candidate polls, signaling a changed atmosphere. In response, veteran politicians emphasize the importance of experience and expertise for winning next year's presidential election. They also stress political skills to attract external candidates such as former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. On the other hand, first-term lawmakers argue that changes are needed to expand support among the 20s and 30s generations and centrists, starting with replacing the party leader.

Former People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 20th, declaring her candidacy for the party leadership election. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The People Power Party's leadership election reflects party members' opinions by 50% in the preliminary round and 70% in the final round. Therefore, party leader candidates are rushing to the largest voter base, Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK), to appeal for support.

Former lawmaker Na attended the Buddha's Birthday ceremony at Donghwasa Temple in Daegu the day before. This served as her introduction to the TK region ahead of her official candidacy announcement. Lawmaker Joo will visit the Daegu city party office on the 21st to hold a press conference and make a separate candidacy declaration. Former supreme council member Lee is also expected to stay in Daegu for two weeks starting next week to listen to public sentiment. Lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae will hold a series of party member meetings in the Gyeongbuk region from this day through the weekend.

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