Lee Jun-seok Reveals PPAT Exam Papers Amid Controversy: "Baseless Speculation and Agitation Undermine the Party... Resistance to Reform"

Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party, is taking the Public Official Candidate Basic Qualification Assessment (PPAT) exam for metropolitan and basic council candidates of the People Power Party held at Mokdong High School in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on the 17th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

원본보기 아이콘

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] After the Basic Qualification Assessment for Public Office Candidates (PPAT) for the upcoming June 1 local elections was held, related controversies arose, prompting Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, to disclose the PPAT exam papers.

On the 17th, Lee posted on his Facebook, stating, "There are people who are systematically opposing the PPAT and spreading false information," and released all 30 PPAT questions.

Regarding the claim of "candidate selection based on test scores," Lee said, "If you read the nomination guidelines, that is not true at all." Addressing suspicions that "someone made money by selling test prep books," he explained, "PPAT did not produce any study materials other than video lectures and materials published on the party's website, and the exam did not cover content beyond that scope."

In response to criticism that the difficulty level was high, Lee said, "You can understand the difficulty by trying the questions yourself," adding, "The names appearing in the answer choices are likely altered versions of familiar names. It's an Easter egg (a hidden element for fun)."

He then raised his voice, saying, "Attempting to slander the party ahead of the local elections through speculation and agitation is merely resistance to reform."

A portion of the Public Official Candidate Basic Qualification Assessment (PPAT) test paper released by Lee Jun-seok, the leader of the People Power Party./Photo by Lee, captured from the leader's Facebook.

원본보기 아이콘

Meanwhile, the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee conducted the PPAT on the morning of the 17th at 17 test centers nationwide across metropolitan and basic councilor candidates who applied for nomination. Approximately 4,500 people aged from 20 to 81 took the test, marking the first-ever qualification exam for party nominations in history.

For proportional representation candidates for metropolitan councilors, a score of 70 or above out of 100 is required to receive nomination, while basic councilor proportional representation candidates must score 60 or above. Candidates running in local constituencies for basic and metropolitan councilor positions receive up to a 10% bonus score proportional to their evaluation results.

The exam consisted of 30 multiple-choice questions with four options each. The evaluation areas included three domains and eight subjects: ▲ Basic Competency for Public Officials (Party Constitution and Rules, Public Official Election Act) ▲ Analysis and Judgment Assessment (Data Interpretation and Situational Judgment) ▲ Current Issues Analysis (North Korea Policy, Diplomacy and Security, Safety and Society, Youth Policy, Local Autonomy).

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.