The Democratic Party confirms 42 organizing committee chairs... 'Pro-Yoon' figures like Kim Kyung-jin and Jeon Ju-hye stand out

People Power Party Enters General Election Mode
Heo Eun-ah Reacts, "Is It That Everyone Must Leave Unless Pro-Yoon?"
26 Districts Left Unappointed, Reserved for 'Yongsan Share'

[Asia Economy Reporters Bom Ryeong Geum, Youngwon Kim] On the 29th, the People Power Party finalized the appointments of organizational committee chairpersons for about 40 emergency party associations. This marks the transition to the 2024 general election system, but there are complaints as the 'Bi-Yoon' (anti-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction feels marginalized.

Kim Seok-ki, Secretary-General who was in charge of the Special Committee for Organizational Strengthening, told reporters after the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "Out of the 68 emergency party associations, 42 were approved today by the Emergency Response Committee."

In Dongdaemun, considered a fiercely contested district, former prosecutor and ex-lawmaker Kim Kyung-jin was selected. Representative Heo Eun-ah, who competed, was eliminated despite being an incumbent. Kim, classified as pro-Yoon, served as the standing public relations special advisor of the election countermeasures headquarters in President Yoon Seok-yeol’s presidential campaign.

Jung Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Within the People Power Party, voices are calling this a 'Bi-Yoon purge.' Representative Heo was a spokesperson during former party leader Lee Jun-seok’s tenure and is a prominent Bi-Yoon figure who has criticized pro-Yoon members sharply.

Right after the Emergency Response Committee’s decision, Representative Heo posted on her Facebook, "Does this mean if you’re not pro-Yoon, you have to leave?" She added, "If you are pro-Yoon and a former prosecutor, you don’t have to try hard and can shop around for party associations. Rather than envy, I feel ashamed of the party’s reality."

"Heo Eun-ah’s fault was not flattering power"

After moving to Jangandong, Dongdaegu in May, Representative Heo has been solidifying her constituency by supporting Dongdaemun in the June local elections. Another Bi-Yoon, Representative Kim Woong, wrote on Facebook, "The so-called 'Special Committee for Organizational Strengthening' ultimately ousted Representative Heo," adding, "Compared to the pro-Yoon one-tool players whose only skill is appealing to pro-Yoon, Heo Eun-ah’s fault was not flattering power."

In Gangdong-gap, where competition was fierce, proportional representative Jeon Ju-hye was selected. Jeon served as a spokesperson during President Yoon’s candidacy and is currently an Emergency Response Committee member under Joo Ho-young and Jung Jin-seok. Former People Power Party spokesperson Yoon Hee-seok, who competed for Gangdong-gap, protested, saying, "Those who devoted themselves are sacrificed, and those who benefited receive special favors again. This cannot be called fairness or common sense."

The leadership denies any 'Bi-Yoon purge.' Emergency Response Committee Chair Jung Jin-seok responded to reporters after the meeting when asked about the backlash against the Bi-Yoon purge, saying, "I don’t think so." Secretary-General Kim also called it "nonsense," explaining, "Both are good people, but comparatively, former Representative Kim seemed more competitive, so the Special Committee for Organizational Strengthening unanimously judged the interview results that way."

Meanwhile, the Special Committee for Organizational Strengthening left 26 party associations unappointed. There is speculation that this was reserved for the senior aides of the Yongsan Presidential Office. Secretary-General Kim said, "It’s not about Yongsan aides. Later, during the general election, if there is the most suitable and strongest candidate for that region, regardless of where they come from, our goal is to fill the position with that person to help win the general election."

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