Na Kyungwon and Shin Dongwook of People Power Party Withdraw from Seoul Mayoral Primary; Oh Sehoon Also Has Not Applied (Comprehensive)

PPP Metropolitan Governor Nomination Applications Close Today

People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Na Kyungwon and Shin Dongwook, who had been mentioned as potential candidates for the Seoul mayoral race in the June 3 local elections from the People Power Party, both announced on the 8th that they would not be running. It has also been reported that Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon has not yet submitted his application.

All Three Main Figures in Seoul Unlikely to Apply

Na Kyungwon, a five-term senior lawmaker representing Seoul, announced her decision not to run via Facebook on this day, stating, "In this local election, I will serve quietly and become a catalyst for our party's victory." She explained, "Both the party and the local elections are facing crises," and added, "After much deliberation, prioritizing the party's interests before my own, I have decided which role I should take and in what position."

She continued, "What we need now is to reflect on ourselves, starting with me, and focus on the future rather than the past." She added, "We must discard any sense of defeat and build the resilience to stand firm against the ruling party's tyranny. I will take the lead."

On the 8th, People Power Party lawmaker Na Kyung-won announced her intention not to run, saying, "In this local election, I want to serve quietly and become a catalyst for our party's victory." Na Kyung-won Facebook

Shin Dongwook, a first-term lawmaker from Seoul and a member of the party's Supreme Council, also announced on Facebook that he would not participate in the Seoul mayoral primary, saying, "I have concluded that, rather than moving forward right now, it is right to pause for a moment and find a way to dedicate myself to the party." He emphasized, "This local election is a crucial one that will determine the fate of Korea," and added, "Party leadership, candidates, members, and supporters must unite as one to stop the runaway actions of the Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party."

It has been confirmed that Oh Sehoon, the People Power Party-affiliated Mayor of Seoul, did not submit his application for the nomination for metropolitan government head as of the deadline on this day. The previous day, Mayor Oh stated on Facebook, "Unless we first resolve the critical issue of normalizing the party line, what is the meaning of candidate registration and primaries?" and called for an "all-out debate" through a general assembly of lawmakers. As of the morning of this day, it was reported that only Yoon Heesook, former head of the People Power Party's Innovation Committee, and Lee Sangkyu, head of the Seongbuk-eul district party organization in Seoul, had submitted applications for the Seoul mayoral nomination.

Warning Lights Flashing for Candidate Races in Greater Seoul Area, Including Gyeonggi Province

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon delivered the opening remarks at a policy forum on the Yongsan International Business District hosted by Seoul City and People Power Party lawmaker Kwon Young-se at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 6th. Photo by Yonhap News

Not only in Seoul but also in the Gyeonggi Province governor race, former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin and Assemblywoman Kim Eunhye, who had been leading in polls, have announced that they will not run. Instead, Supreme Council member Yang Hyangja and former Korea Expressway Corporation President Ham Jinkyu have applied for the nomination. In Busan, a competitive two-way race is emerging as incumbent Mayor Park Hyungjun and first-term lawmaker Joo Jinwoo have both submitted their applications.

On Facebook on this day, Nomination Committee Chair Lee Junghyun stated, "This is a time when we need a major political moment," and added, "We must open the door to collaborate with forces beyond the boundaries of our party." He also said, "Decisions by leaders to serve quietly, similar to the current situation, can elevate politics to another level."

Within the party, internal conflict continues over party leader Jang Donghyuk's failure to declare a complete break with the so-called 'Yoon Again' faction. Even with less than three months remaining until the local elections, the party's direction has not been clarified, leading to ongoing turmoil.

The previous day, Mayor Oh Sehoon reiterated on Facebook, "Unless we resolve the critical issue of normalizing the party line, what is the point of registering candidates and holding primaries?" and called for an all-out debate through a general assembly of lawmakers. In response, Na Kyungwon countered, "Stop blaming the party," and argued, "As an incumbent mayor, self-reflection on your own performance should come first."

Assemblyman Yoon Sanghyun stated, "In an atmosphere where, far from being cheered on, candidates are being discouraged, who will have the energy to step up and run?" Assemblywoman Cho Eunhee also remarked, "What we need right now is to level the playing field so that candidates can run with confidence."

The party's floor leadership has convened an emergency general assembly of lawmakers on March 9. Floor leader Song Eonseok said, "With less than 90 days left until the local elections, we need to hear the opinions of lawmakers to secure victory." The party's reformist group, "Alternatives and Future," insisted that "a complete break with the 'Yoon Again' faction and a change in party line are prerequisites," arguing that the party's direction must be determined at the general assembly.

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