'Two Families Under One Roof' in Busan, 'Regrouping' in Daegu

Two Campaign Office Openings in Buk-gu, Busan
Han Donghoon and Park Minshik Both Hold Ceremonies on May 10
Daegu Sees Rallying of Party Forces After Nomination Turmoil

Lawmakers from the People Power Party are expected to stage a political scene in Buk-gu, Busan on May 10 that reflects the party’s internal reality of being “two families under one roof.” While the party leadership plans to visit the campaign office of former lawmaker Park Minshik, the candidate for the Busan Buk-gap by-election, former party leader Han Donghoon, who is running as an independent, has also announced an opening ceremony for his own campaign office at the same time. Some People Power Party lawmakers are reportedly planning to attend Han's event. Meanwhile, in Daegu, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Joo Ho-young is taking charge of the local election campaign committee, boosting efforts for party unity.

The People Power Party leadership holding an executive meeting at the National Assembly on the 4th. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, will attend the opening ceremony of Park Minshik’s campaign office in Buk-gu, Busan at 2 p.m. on May 10. The party leadership and pro-leadership lawmakers are expected to accompany him. Busan Mayor Park Hyungjun is also mentioned as a possible attendee, although his office stated, “No final decision has been made yet.”

At the same time, former leader Han Donghoon, who is running as an independent candidate for Busan Buk-gap, will also hold an office opening ceremony in Buk-gu. Lawmakers close to Han, such as Jin Jongoh and Han Jia, have announced plans to attend the event despite the possibility of party disciplinary action. Former lawmaker Seo Byungsoo, who left the People Power Party, is set to serve as honorary chief of Han’s campaign committee.

The distance between Han’s and Park’s campaign offices is only about 700 meters. With just a 10-minute walk separating the two, internal party discord is expected to surface. Observers both inside and outside the party see this as a clear display of rivalry and checks on each other’s influence. However, Han said on MBC Radio on this day, “This time, I have asked lawmakers to simply send their support from afar.”

In the case of Daegu, Deputy Speaker Joo Ho-young, who had previously protested the cutoff (exclusion from nomination) decision by the Daegu Metropolitan Government, has now taken on the role of overall campaign chair for the Daegu Party Chapter, seemingly ending the prolonged internal turmoil. Meanwhile, Lee Jinsook, former chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, who was also subject to a cutoff, has been strategically nominated as the candidate for the Daegu Dalseong-gun parliamentary by-election, resolving the local nomination issue.

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