Breaking Up? Jeon Gwang-hoon Demands "Abolition of Nomination Rights" from the Ruling Party

Published 17 Apr.2023 14:22(KST)

Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, who had announced a break with the People Power Party, demanded the abolition of the nomination rights from the ruling party while encouraging his followers to join the People Power Party. Rather than the anticipated break, he is instead seeking to expand his political influence.

On the 17th, Pastor Jeon held an emergency press conference at Sarang Jeil Church in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, proposing a "nationwide People Power Party membership campaign, abolition of nomination rights, and candidate selection centered on party members," stating, "If the fight over nomination rights disappears, the People Power Party will be able to fully devote itself to a greater fight, that is, the fight to protect freedom."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He said, "To abolish nomination rights, candidates for National Assembly, governors, mayors, and county heads must be selected through intra-party primaries in the same way presidential candidates are chosen. To do this, the party’s doors must be opened, and through a nationwide membership campaign, the number of party members should be increased to millions or tens of millions. This is the path of a democratic party."

He also encouraged People Power Party membership campaigns, saying, "People Power Party politicians should look down rather than up to nurture their ambitions, and the people should become a ‘conscientious actor.’"

After announcing the press statement, Pastor Jeon stepped onto the podium and said, "If this is accepted, I will temporarily suspend the founding of a new political party."