Jang Steps Up On-Site Activities... Ongoing Ripples Over Policy Direction and Nomination Disputes

Party Policy Issues Raised at On-Site Supreme Council Meeting
Attention on the Future Moves of Ju Ho-young and Lee Jinsook in Daegu

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is ramping up on-site activities, such as holding a Supreme Council meeting in Incheon, ahead of the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3. Both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party leadership are focusing on local schedules, which is closely tied to their strategies for the June 3 elections.

On the morning of April 6, Jang held an on-site Supreme Council meeting in Incheon, stating, "Over the past four years, Incheon has become the most financially outstanding local government," and added, "If you choose Mayor Yoo Jungbok and the People Power Party, we will further develop Incheon and take care of the lives of its citizens."

Jang began his full-fledged local campaign with a visit to the Jeju April 3 Incident Memorial Ceremony on April 3. In Incheon on this day, he pledged to promote Mayor Yoo's '1,000-won housing' policy nationwide, among other promises. However, internal party conflicts over policy direction were also detected during the on-site schedule. At the public meeting, there were calls for unity and innovation within the party. Jang responded by saying, "It is a waste to spend precious time discussing internal issues," attempting to calm the situation.

Yonhap News

The party's nomination turmoil is also ongoing. In North Chungcheong Province, a Korea Series-style primary will be held among candidates Kim Younghwan, Yoon Heegeun, and Yoon Gapgeun. In Gwangju, South Jeolla Province—a traditionally challenging area—former Assemblyman Lee Junghyun has declared his candidacy. In a phone interview, Lee said, "Considering the political awareness of local residents, I believe a 30% vote share is entirely possible."

However, in Daegu—its strongest stronghold—the outlook remains unclear. This is because Ju Ho-young, the National Assembly Vice Speaker, and former Korea Communications Commission Chairwoman Lee Jinsook, both of whom were eliminated in the final cut, may still run as independents. There is also speculation within the party that, given the political responsibility that would come with handing over the Daegu mayoralty to the ruling party, they may ultimately decide not to run.

The nominations for by-elections and re-elections, which begin today, also remain an unresolved issue. The key is the 3 to 4 by-election districts that may arise in the Yeongnam region, depending on the nomination situations of both parties. Not only candidates from the People Power Party and the Democratic Party, but also former party leader Han Donghoon, may join the three-way race. If a National Assembly by-election district emerges in Daegu, there is speculation that former Chairwoman Lee may be placed there. However, she expressed her reluctance, saying, "The train has already left," and "Is Daegu-Seoul really 300 kilometers apart?"

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