People Power Party Leadership Candidate Joo Jinwoo Eliminated... Main Election Set as 2 Pro-Impeachment vs. 2 Anti-Impeachment Candidates

Kim Moonsoo, Ahn Cheolsoo, Jang Donghyuk, and Cho Kyungtae Advance to Four-Way Race
Anti-Impeachment and Pro-Impeachment Factions Each Secure Two Spots
Supreme Council and Youth Supreme Council Candidates Also Narrowed Down
Main Race to Be Decided by Party Members and Public Opinion Polls in Late August

Among the five candidates vying for the next leadership of the People Power Party, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo, along with lawmakers Jang Donghyuk, Cho Kyungtae, and Ahn Cheolsoo (listed in alphabetical order), have advanced to the main race.

On August 7, the party's election management committee announced these results during a briefing at the central party headquarters in Yeouido. The rankings and vote percentages for each candidate were not disclosed.

Yonhap News Agency

In this party convention, which was contested along the lines of pro-impeachment (Chantan) versus anti-impeachment (Bantan), both anti-impeachment candidates?former Minister Kim and lawmaker Jang?passed the first preliminary round (cutoff). In addition to the three major special prosecutors (insurrection, Kim Keonhee, and Chae Haebyung special prosecutors), the new Democratic Party leader Jung Chungrae has taken an extremely hardline stance against the opposition, which is interpreted as having strengthened support for the anti-impeachment candidates among both party members and the public.

On the morning of August 7, former Minister Kim appeared on the "Freedom Conservative Alliance Debate" hosted by conservative YouTubers such as Jeon Hangil and Ko Sungkuk, targeting the party's hardline supporters. Kim stated, "If I become party leader, I will defend democracy and the South Korea-U.S. alliance from the dictatorship of President Lee Jaemyung," and added, "I will unite our internally divided party and resist with one voice." Previously, lawmaker Jang also participated in a conservative YouTube alliance debate on July 31.

Pro-impeachment candidates Cho Kyungtae and Ahn Cheolsoo also secured tickets to the main race. As a result, the main race will be contested between two pro-impeachment candidates and two anti-impeachment candidates. Lawmaker Joo, who was eliminated, distanced himself from the other candidates and pursued a centrist path.

Among the 12 candidates for the Supreme Council, eight have advanced: Kim Geunsik, Kim Minsu, Kim Jaewon, Kim Taewoo, Son Beomgyu, Shin Dongwook, Yang Hyangja, and Choi Sujin. All four candidates for the Youth Supreme Council?Park Hongjun, Son Sujo, Woo Jaejun, and Choi Woosung?advanced to the second round without a first-round cutoff.

The first preliminary round reflected 50% party member votes and 50% public opinion polls. Previously, the preliminary round was determined by 100% party member votes, but a public opinion poll was added to better reflect public sentiment. The public opinion poll targeted People Power Party supporters and independents, applying a clause to prevent strategic voting. The main race, scheduled for August 20-21, will reflect 80% party member votes and 20% public opinion polls. The party convention announcing the main race results will be held on August 22 at Osco in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. If no candidate wins a majority, a runoff vote will be held on August 24-25.