The People Power Party's Choice is a 30s Party Leader... "'Lee Jun-seok Storm' Has Now Become a Typhoon"

Lee Jun-seok Leads Both Party and Public Support as Party Leader
Na Kyung-won Finishes 2nd
Jo Su-jin, Bae Hyun-jin, Kim Jae-won, Jung Mi-kyung, Kim Yong-tae Elected as Supreme Council Members

On the 11th, at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, candidate Lee Jun-seok, who was elected as the new party leader at the party convention to elect the party leader, is greeting attendees. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Jun-i] The ‘Lee Jun-seok whirlwind’ has landed in Yeouido as a ‘typhoon.’ Lee Jun-seok, a 30-something candidate with zero political experience, was elected as the leader of the People Power Party, the main opposition party. The conservatives chose youth and innovation to win next year’s presidential election. This is significant as a signal that the Korean political stage, dominated by the 86 generation, is being replaced by the 80s and 90s generations.

On the 11th, Lee won at the first party convention held at the People Power Party headquarters. He received 37.4% of the party members’ votes and 58.8% in public opinion polls, totaling 43.8%. Candidate Na Kyung-won came in second with 40.9% of party member votes and 28.3% in public polls, totaling 37.1%. Following were candidates Joo Ho-young (14%), Cho Kyung-tae (2.8%), and Hong Moon-pyo (2.2%). The four elected supreme council members were Jo Soo-jin, Bae Hyun-jin, Kim Jae-won, and Jung Mi-kyung. Kim Yong-tae was elected as the youth supreme council member.

In his acceptance speech as party leader, Lee said, “Our top priority is to win the presidential election,” adding, “In that process, I will build a party that can coexist with various presidential candidates and their supporters.” He stated, “The first change to be implemented is the detailed design of a qualification exam for public office candidates, debate battles, and a public competition for spokesperson selection through speech contests,” emphasizing, “Our party must create an environment where anyone who wants to engage in politics can compete fairly.”

Lee must immediately address internal party issues such as the merger with the People Party and the reinstatement of independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo. He will also appoint key party positions including the policy chief, secretary-general, and spokesperson. Above all, he has the critical task of preparing for next year’s presidential primary. He will lead efforts involving intra-party presidential candidates such as former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, as well as recruiting former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon, and Audit Chief Choi Jae-hyung.

On the 11th, at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, newly elected party leader candidate Lee Jun-seok and the Supreme Council members are posing at the party convention held to elect the new party leader. Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

Um Kyung-young, head of the Era Spirit Research Institute, commented on Lee’s election, saying, “The strong will of conservative voters to seize power was reflected in this primary,” adding, “With candidates free from the legacies of Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, generational change has gained momentum, and competition to win public support against the Democratic Party is expected to intensify.” Political commentator Hwang Tae-soon said, “This party leader must be a judge and supervisor who produces the most suitable presidential candidate for reclaiming power next year,” and predicted, “There will be various demands and pressures, but success depends on whether he can wisely manage them.”

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