Park Wonseok: "People Power Party's Constitutional Amendment Blocking Line Likely to Collapse After Election" [Current Affairs Show]

Lee Taegyu: "Talk of Arbitrary Nominations and Favoritism"
Park Wonseok: "A Rebound for Han Junho Is Unlikely"

■ Broadcast: The Asia Business Daily "So Jongsup's Current Affairs Show" (Monday to Friday, 4-5 p.m.)

■ Host: So Jongsup, Political Specialist ■ Director: Lee Kyeongdo

■ Guests: Former Justice Party lawmaker Park Wonseok and former People Power Party lawmaker Lee Taegyu (March 23)

※ When quoting content from the article, please be sure to cite "So Jongsup's Current Affairs Show."

So Jongsup: Hello, everyone. This is So Jongsup's Current Affairs Show. Today, I will be talking with former Justice Party lawmaker Park Wonseok and former People Power Party lawmaker Lee Taegyu. Welcome to both of you.

Park Wonseok, Lee Taegyu: Hello.

So Jongsup: The People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee (headed by Lee Junghyun) has cut off both Joo Ho-young and Lee Jin-sook, the two candidates for Daegu Mayor. What are your thoughts on this?

Former National Assembly member Wonseok Park (right) and former National Assembly member Taegyu Lee appeared on "So Jongsup's Current Affairs Show" on the 23rd. Photo by Younghan Heo

Lee Taegyu: The lack of principles and unclear standards in nominations is an issue not just in Daegu, but in many places, is it not? In some regions, a single candidate is nominated; in others, candidates are cut off; sometimes, after backlash, they switch to a primary; and in some places, rumors circulate that a specific person has already been chosen. Regardless of the outcome for these two candidates, the nomination process for Daegu Mayor is currently failing, both strategically and in terms of change and innovation, because it is widely perceived as having dubious motives.

From the beginning, many speculated that there was an intention to cut off senior members to nominate former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chair Lee Jin-sook. However, now, due to strong criticism against Lee Jin-sook, the approach has changed: Joo Ho-young is excluded, and Lee Jin-sook is also cut off. This leaves the most likely candidate as a pro-Yoon figure, and even if another person is selected, they are unlikely to be someone outside the pro-Park or pro-Yoon camps.

Park Wonseok: To be precise, this should be seen as Joo Ho-young being cut off and Lee Jin-sook being repositioned for nomination. Just before this, Representative Jang Donghyeok went to Daegu and, in meetings with lawmakers, spoke about having all citizen primary candidates participate. I think that was just bluffing. It was said that full authority was given to the nomination committee chair, but in reality, that is authority over managing nominations, not deciding nominations themselves. No party leadership grants full authority over nominations. There is no clear standard or logic. This is a nomination process where the intentions are too transparent. Why are they able to do this? Ultimately, they see Daegu as a fish trap—an enclosed cage, so to speak. But will Daegu citizens really accept this again this time?

People Power Party seems to view Daegu as an enclosed fish farm

So Jongsup: What do you think will be the next steps for Rep. Joo Ho-young?

Lee Taegyu: He has already stated that he will seek judicial judgment. There are two options: filing an appeal within the party, and filing for an injunction with the court. As a former judge, he is likely well aware of these procedures. I believe he will decide his political future in the course of seeking judicial review. Running as an independent is not a simple matter. This is because doing so would, with high probability, make it easier for the Democratic Party candidate to win, which would be a significant political burden for him. I do not think it is the stage to make a final decision yet. The People Power Party's nomination process, in my view, is heading down a noisy path of failure.

Park Wonseok: I also think an independent run would not be easy. Rep. Joo has been in politics for a long time, and Daegu is his hometown, where he has been elected six times. In a three-way race, if he were to run as an independent and win, that would be fortunate—then everything becomes a positive story. But if he loses, and if it is perceived that not only he but also the People Power Party loses because of him, then all the various unfairness and problems in this process will be blamed on him. Can he bear such dishonor? He is likely to be harshly criticized later, and, on top of that, he still has two years left in his National Assembly term.

On the morning of the 22nd, after the closed joint meeting between Jang Donghyeok, the representative of the People Power Party Daegu City Party, and local members of the National Assembly held at the Daegu City Party office, Rep. Joo Ho-young is seen leaving the meeting room. Photo by Yonhap News

So Jongsup: How do you assess the ongoing nomination process of the People Power Party?

Lee Taegyu: In a word, there is no concept. Nominations need to be made with a direction and strategy, but that has not been established, which is why these problems are occurring. Without conceptual clarity, there are no principles or standards. Nominations have been made without clear criteria, so there is no connection to change or innovation. This is why people are even talking about "magistrate nominations"—in other words, handpicking candidates at will. It has become a purge through nominations.

There is even suspicion—though hopefully unfounded—that some are gathering to exclude specific groups or individuals through a poorly designed process, essentially creating a "kill list." The actions and statements of the party leadership and nomination committee chair are fueling these suspicions. I think this will have a seriously negative impact on the election, and after the election, controversy over this issue is likely to grow significantly.

No nomination concept for People Power Party, even discussions of pro-Park vs. non-Park nominations

Park Wonseok: That's why there is talk of a return to the old pro-Park (pro-Park Geun-hye) vs. non-Park (anti-Park Geun-hye) divide. If you look at the metropolitan mayors who received sole nominations, they are all former pro-Park figures: Kim Taeheum, Park Wansu, Yoo Jeongbok, Kim Jintae—all pro-Park. Those who were dropped or slated to be dropped, like Oh Sehoon, Park Hyungjoon, and Joo Ho-young, are either pro-Lee (Lee Myung-bak) or non-Park. Some are even saying that Chair Lee Junghyun is exacting revenge now—that is how lacking in standards, principles, and logic this nomination process is. Representative Jang Donghyeok has been running the party in a way that narrows its base rather than expanding it. Because of this, the party is not unified, making it hard to run the election effectively, and the nomination process is making things even more fractured.

Once the election begins, there will be clearly visible phenomena, like candidates wearing white clothes. Even Rep. Chu Kyung-ho, who is rumored to be receiving a nomination in Daegu, is wearing white and campaigning. Would Representative Jang Donghyeok be welcomed if he went to support campaign events? In my view, he would not. After the election, the aftermath will spread everywhere because the party is so divided. Has Representative Jang Donghyeok ever demonstrated the political skill or leadership to resolve this? After the election, the party could be on the verge of splitting due to calls for accountability. Now, there's even a constitutional amendment proposal, but there are only 10 seats blocking it. Can you guarantee those 10 won't defect? After the election, if there's an attempt to reorganize the political landscape using constitutional reform as a pretext, can the People Power Party stop it? I believe they cannot. There is simply no political consideration here. If someone is liked, they are nominated; if someone is a bit of a nuisance, they are excluded. What Representative Jang Donghyeok and Nomination Committee Chair Lee Junghyun are doing ahead of the election seems like a purposeless action movie.

So Jongsup: The Democratic Party of Korea's candidates for Gyeonggi Province Governor have been narrowed down to three: Kim Dongyeon, Chu Mi-ae, and Han Junho.

Lee Taegyu: Governor Kim Dongyeon has the advantage of being the incumbent. He is more than qualified as a metropolitan mayor, having served as Chief of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, Deputy Prime Minister, and university president. However, from the Democratic Party's base, his biggest handicap is that he is seen as an "outsider." Rep. Chu Mi-ae is a very polarizing figure, but within the Democratic Party, regardless of being pro-Lee (Lee Jae-myung) or not, she carries significant weight and is known to have strong support among the core base, which is her strength. Rep. Han Junho, on the other hand, has risen quickly, mainly through his pro-Lee marketing. Compared to the other two, he is younger and more refreshing. I am interested in whether Han Junho, who I believe is originally from Jeonbuk Province, will be able to appeal to party members and supporters within the Democratic Party and how that will translate into votes.

Looking at the general trend, Governor Kim Dongyeon appears to be ahead. However, with the primary split 50% by party members and 50% by the general public, and with the application of a clause to prevent strategic voting, Chu Mi-ae and Han Junho could be relatively advantaged. While Governor Kim Dongyeon is likely to be strong among moderates, this could put him at a disadvantage in this context.

On the 19th, preliminary candidates are taking a commemorative photo at the Democratic Party of Korea Gyeonggi Province Governor preliminary primary joint debate held at JTBC in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

Park Wonseok: Since becoming governor, Kim Dongyeon has clashed with President Lee Jae-myung on personnel and other issues, which has earned him the disfavor of the so-called pro-Lee voting members. However, there are no major criticisms of his administration of Gyeonggi Province. Therefore, some say he actually has strong competitiveness in the general election. The more moderate and long-standing Democratic Party supporters are becoming divided, especially after recent controversies such as the "New Lee Jae-myung" and debates involving Yoo Si-min and Kim Eo-jun. When Kim Dongyeon appeared on Kim Eo-jun's News Factory recently, it was clear he was being given a chance to explain himself. Some of the base, known as the pro-Moon faction, is shifting their support. Additionally, the pro-Moon faction does not particularly like Chu Mi-ae.

Governor Kim Dongyeon has recently been lowering himself and apologizing for not meeting party members' expectations, trying to win them back. His main target is the traditional base, as he sees the hardline pro-Lee faction as out of reach. This seems to be part of a strategy to attract part of the traditional base within this structure. If that succeeds, Governor Kim Dongyeon cannot be ruled out. If the race goes to a runoff, where the votes of Han Junho's supporters go will be crucial, and in that case, Chu Mi-ae could have an advantage.

Rep. Han Junho, comeback? Not easy

So Jongsup: Is there any chance of a comeback for Rep. Han Junho?

Lee Taegyu: I do think there is momentum, but whether that translates into support rates is a different issue. The momentum is definitely strong. If something unexpected happens and Han Junho makes it to the final runoff, the situation could change completely. Solid vote bases are important in elections, but momentum cannot be ignored. However, whether that can actually happen is a practical question. It will not be easy. The incumbent governor has an established local base, and despite Chu Mi-ae's polarizing reputation, she has political experience and skill.

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