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[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The People Power Party has revised the party convention rules, changing the current party leader election system from 70% party member votes and 30% general public votes to 100% party member votes. This change is based on the logic that in an era of one million party members, "it is only natural that party members elect their leader," but voices of criticism are also emerging strongly.

People Power Party Changes Convention Rules to 10:0

The People Power Party Emergency Committee decided in a meeting on the morning of the 19th to change the leader election regulation to "100% party member votes," and plans to finalize the rule change after the Standing National Committee meeting on the 20th and the National Committee meeting on the 23rd. Emergency Committee Chairperson Jeong Jin-seok said at a press conference, "It is natural that party members who share the same ideals, philosophy, and goals elect the leader," adding, "Conducting a non-party member opinion poll simultaneously is not reasonable."

The logic that "only party members should elect the party leader" may seem reasonable at first glance, but considering that the People Power Party’s predecessor, the Grand National Party, had incorporated public opinion polls into the leadership election since 2004, this can also be seen as a kind of 'denial of the past.' Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who is currently leading the public opinion polls for party leader, also criticized this. He pointed out on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' that "the party leadership is trying to change this rule, which has been in place for 18 years since the Grand National Party era, overnight."

Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Eighteen years ago, the Grand National Party decided to elect its leader by reflecting 50% of delegate votes and 50% of public opinion polls, reasoning that the will of party members and public opinion could conflict. Conversely, this suggests that electing a party leader solely based on party members’ votes without public opinion polls could result in a direction that conflicts with the will of the people.

Especially concerning are reports that the recent party convention rule change reflects 'Yunshim (尹心, President Yoon Seok-yeol’s intentions).' If a party leader is elected who prioritizes the president’s 'mood protection' over the will of the people, the People Power Party itself could be shunned by the public.

People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo criticized on KBS Radio's 'Choi Young-il's Current Affairs Headquarters' that "in plain terms, electing a party leader is not like electing a neighborhood gang leader or a social club president." Former lawmaker Yoo also shared a newspaper editorial titled 'Is it fair play to move the goalposts and then score?' criticizing the rule change on his social media. Even Yoon Sang-hyun, a pro-Yoon faction party leadership candidate, expressed regret, questioning whether it was necessary to push through the change hastily without gathering opinions from party members and the public.

Rule Changes Before Every Party Convention: A 'Hot Potato'

In Yeouido’s political circles, changing the rules before a party convention is nothing new. Noise is inevitable each time because rule changes can affect the gains and losses of candidates and factions regardless of party. If rules are set disadvantageously for a faction, its lawmakers may engage in collective action or even party leadership candidates may declare a 'boycott.'

Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 19th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

In the Democratic Party’s convention last October, internal strife occurred due to rule changes. Previously, the system combined 45% delegates, 40% eligible party members, 10% general public, and 5% general party members, totaling 90% party sentiment plus 10% public opinion. The Convention Preparation Committee (Jeonjunwi) changed this to 30% delegates, 40% eligible party members, 25% general public, and 5% general party members. Although the weight of public opinion increased from 10% to 25%, party sentiment decreased.

However, when the Emergency Committee overturned Jeonjunwi’s proposal, internal opposition grew. This led to tensions between the so-called 'pro-Lee Jae-myung faction' and 'anti-Lee faction,' and Jeonjunwi Chairperson Ahn Kyu-baek resigned amid the turmoil. Eventually, the Emergency Committee accepted Jeonjunwi’s proposal.

The People Power Party’s predecessor, the Liberty Korea Party, also experienced near collapse in 2019 when six out of eight party leadership candidates declared a boycott over convention date adjustments and rule changes. At that time, candidates Shim Jae-cheol, Jeong Woo-taek, Joo Ho-young, and Ahn Sang-soo stated, "If the primary rules and schedule adjustments are not accepted, we will fully boycott the convention," and former party leader Hong Joon-pyo also demanded a change in the primary schedule.

The convention date coincided with the second North Korea-U.S. summit, raising concerns about the loss of the 'convention effect,' prompting candidates to call for postponement. The primary rule to decide cutoffs (preliminary elimination) without debates was also criticized. Even Hong Joon-pyo and Oh Se-hoon, considered the 'big three,' joined the boycott declaration, pushing the convention to the brink of collapse. However, the requested date change did not occur. In the end, Oh Se-hoon changed his mind and declared his candidacy, and the convention was held with only three candidates: Hwang Kyo-ahn, Oh Se-hoon, and Kim Jin-tae.

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