People Power Party Begins Discussion on Primary Election Rules... Key Point: 'Public Opinion Ratio'

First Election Committee Meeting... Discussion on Primary Schedule and Method
Main Primary Likely to Maintain 50% Party Sentiment, 50% Public Opinion
Presidential Hopefuls Busy Calculating Strategies... Proposal for Full National Primary

The People Power Party's presidential primary election management committee has begun discussions on the primary rules. Considering the tight schedule, it is highly likely that the existing method will be maintained, reflecting party sentiment (party member votes) and public sentiment (general opinion polls) equally at 50% each in the main primary voting ratio. Presidential candidates, whose advantages and disadvantages may vary depending on the ratio of party sentiment and public sentiment reflected, are engaged in a tense battle over the primary rules.

On the morning of the 9th, the People Power Party's election management committee held its first meeting at the National Assembly. After discussing the primary schedule and the preliminary primary (cutoff) method, they plan to announce the candidate registration period. Lee Yang-su, the committee's vice chairman and secretary-general, told reporters before the meeting, "I hope to make preliminary decisions today on matters that need to be passed at tomorrow's emergency committee meeting."

Yonhap News

The biggest concern is how much to reflect the ratio of party sentiment and public sentiment in the primary rules. Within the party, maintaining the current rules is strongly mentioned as the most likely option. The reason is that maintaining the party constitution and regulations is the best way to conduct the primary quickly and without noise. According to the party constitution and regulations, the ratio of public sentiment to party sentiment in the main primary, which selects the final candidate for the general election, is 50% to 50%. Hwang Woo-yeo, chairman of the election management committee, indicated in a phone call that "because there are many candidates, it is important to promote harmony and ensure fair play until the end. Since the party has extensive election experience, there will be a plan on how to proceed," suggesting that there will be no major changes. Another key party official said, "If the current rules are changed, it could end in conflict," and added, "I think they will remain as they are."

Various options are being discussed for the preliminary primary rules, which are decided at the discretion of the election management committee. To boost interest, there is growing support for holding 2 to 3 preliminary primaries to narrow down to two candidates before selecting the final candidate. The ratio of public sentiment reflection is likely to be similar to the 20th presidential election, with the first round being 80% public sentiment and 20% party sentiment, and the second round 70% public sentiment and 30% party sentiment. Political commentator Kim Cheol-hyun, a special professor at Kyungil University, predicted, "Since the primary is held during the impeachment phase, the focus will be on creating elements of excitement. Because there are many candidates, the number of preliminary primaries, the number of candidates advancing to the main primary, and the format of debates will be key topics of discussion."

Presidential candidates are busy calculating their strategies around the primary rules. Candidates who opposed the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol benefit more when the party sentiment ratio, reflecting the voices of hardline supporters, is higher, while those who supported the impeachment gain an advantage when the public sentiment ratio is higher.

They are also voicing their opinions. Ahn Cheol-soo, who officially declared his presidential candidacy the day before, said, "It should not be 5:5; I think public participation should be higher than it is now," adding, "8:2 would also be good." Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who has relatively high support in general public opinion polls, proposed a complete national primary. He urged, "There are talks that the primary rules cannot be changed due to the tight schedule, but I question whether there is a genuine will to win the presidential election. If we have to beat Lee Jae-myung, we must put forward the candidate that the public wants." Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu, who is expected to announce his presidential candidacy on the 14th, criticized, "A two-person primary is something a fool who doesn't understand the presidential election would do, and it would ruin the election."

However, even if the rules are decided early, the success of the primary remains uncertain. Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University said, "Unlike during the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, the ideological landscape favors conservatives, and the gap between the two major parties is not large, so it was worth trying to generate excitement in the primary. However, it will not be easy to overturn the trend represented by (Representative) Lee Jae-myung."

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