Running for Local Elections, Joining Transition Teams... People Power Party Lawmakers Avoiding Party Positions

Hapdang Faces Setbacks in Preparing for Local Elections
"No Real Benefit in Forcing It"

Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] While all attention inside and outside the party is focused on President-elect Yoon Seok-yeol's Presidential Transition Committee and forming the next government, there are setbacks in organizing the party's parliamentary positions. This is because party lawmakers are reluctant to take on party roles as they are fully mobilized for participation in the transition committee and running in the local elections.

The party leadership has initiated a reorganization of party positions and appointed Han Ki-ho as Secretary-General, but appointments for the Vice Secretary-General for Strategic Planning, Vice Secretary-General for Organization, and Director of the Yeouido Research Institute have not yet been made. On the 17th, a People Power Party official said, "All the lawmakers have declined, so I understand that Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, is deeply concerned," adding, "Such a case is rare."

The background seems to be that the transition committee's formation is wrapping up this week, while some lawmakers are preparing to run in the local elections scheduled for June. A People Power Party lawmaker explained, "I was asked to take the position, but I currently have ongoing responsibilities, so it is difficult to hold concurrent roles," and added, "Among the remaining lawmakers after going to the transition committee, there will be some who cannot participate because they are preparing for local elections such as mayoral races." A representative from Lee’s side also explained, "Once the transition committee is finalized, the pool of candidates willing to take party positions may change."

There are also reports that because all attention is focused on the president-elect's side, lawmakers are hesitant to take on party duties. A People Power Party official said, "Since the relationship between Lee and President-elect Yoon is ambiguous, lawmakers seem to be cautious," and added, "They seem to think there is no benefit in taking on the roles."

Moreover, since Lee tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently in self-quarantine, it is expected that from his return to work on the 18th, he will be able to focus on reorganizing party positions and preparing the local election system. It is reported that Lee plans to complete appointments for party positions and the Chair of the Nomination Committee by this weekend and announce the appointments early next week.

However, the longer the delay in appointing party positions continues, the more it is expected to cause setbacks in preparations for the merger with the People Party and the local election system, as these require involvement in practical matters such as forming the Nomination Committee. Currently, Han Ki-ho, who was appointed Secretary-General on the 14th, is preparing for the merger procedures.

Seong Il-jong, who was a strong candidate for Vice Secretary-General for Strategic Planning, is reported to have declined the position. In a phone interview with this outlet, Seong said, "I said I would not take the (strategic vice secretary-general) position," adding, "Because others also need to take on party roles." Kim Seok-ki is likely to be appointed as Vice Secretary-General for Organization, and Ji Sang-wook is expected to remain as Director of the Yeouido Research Institute.

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