Ahn Sang-soo, Choi Jae-hyung, Ha Tae-kyung, Hwang Kyo-ahn, Presidential Ambitions 'Temporarily Paused'

Some Speculate Partial Candidacy for Jongno National Assembly By-election

Yoo Seung-min (from left), Ha Tae-kyung, Ahn Sang-soo, Choi Jae-hyung, Hwang Kyo-ahn, Won Hee-ryong, Hong Joon-pyo, and Yoon Seok-youl, preliminary candidates for the People Power Party presidential primary, are taking a commemorative photo before the 6th broadcast debate held on the afternoon of the 5th at the Korean Broadcasting System studio in Yeouido, Seoul. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] On the 8th, in the second cut-off of the People Power Party's presidential primary, candidates Ahn Sang-soo, Choi Jae-hyung, Ha Tae-kyung, and Hwang Kyo-ahn faced defeat, putting their presidential ambitions on 'pause' for the time being.

The most notable figure in this primary result is former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung. During his tenure at the Board of Audit and Inspection, he clashed with the Moon Jae-in administration over the audit process concerning the 'nuclear power plant economic feasibility evaluation manipulation suspicion.' He emerged as a 'moral' and 'clean' alternative to former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. Although his political entry was similar to Yoon's in responding to the 'call of the people,' the difference in their election strategies resulted in Choi's elimination in the second cut-off while Yoon advanced. At one point, Choi garnered significant attention with a 5-6% support rate in polls, but faced difficulties due to the disbandment of his campaign and the declaration of a full review of the Gadeokdo New Airport project, failing to consolidate his support base. On the day, Choi said, "I sincerely thank all the people who supported me until the end," and added, "I will return as an ordinary member of the People Power Party and unite efforts for regime change."

The elimination of former People Power Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn, a 'prominent politician' who previously served as the leader of the United Future Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party), Prime Minister, and Acting President, is also a painful blow from his perspective. His continuous claims of 'election fraud' in last year's general election and his self-identification as a 'hardline far-right' figure are interpreted as having been detrimental to his appeal and expansion.

Former Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo's somewhat excessive performances, such as tearing a photo during TV debates while saying he would 'tear off Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung's mask,' ultimately did not help his results. Although some People Power Party supporters praised him as a 'rediscovery of Ahn Sang-soo,' he also faced criticism for being 'extreme' and 'turning debates into comedy.'

Assemblyman Ha Tae-kyung, known as the 'Hong Joon-pyo sniper,' increased his presence in TV debates with his eloquent speech. He tried to stage a comeback by steadily announcing various pledges such as the 'working hours freedom choice system' and 'resolving subway deficits,' but could not overcome the limitation of low support. On the day, Ha said on Facebook, "I will repay with greater politics," and added, "The People Power Party's march toward regime change is just beginning."

Although there are evaluations that these candidates suffered significant damage to their political careers due to this primary elimination, some speculate that based on their experience as presidential candidates, they may run in the Seoul Jongno by-election for the National Assembly.

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