People Power Party adds 12 candidates including Lee Sang-min, Lee Man-hee, and Park Dae-chul for single nomination... Kim Tae-ho and Cho Hae-jin excluded

The People Power Party has additionally decided on 12 candidates who will run in the general election without separate primaries in the Daejeon and Yeongnam region constituencies. Senior lawmakers who have been requested to run in the so-called 'Nakdong River Belt,' a Yeongnam region constituency currently held by the opposition party, are expected to compete in party primaries.

People Power Party's Jeong Young-hwan, Chair of the Nomination Management Committee, is announcing the results of the 9th meeting on the morning of the 17th at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul.
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On the morning of the 17th, the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee announced the candidates selected for uncontested nominations in the Daejeon, Sejong, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeongnam constituencies, following interviews conducted the previous day. The 12 uncontested candidates include 2 from Daejeon, 2 from Gyeongbuk, and 8 from Gyeongnam. In Daejeon, Yoon Chang-hyun (Dong-gu) and Lee Sang-min (Yuseong), in Gyeongbuk, Lee Man-hee (Yeongcheon-Cheongdo) and Jeong Hee-yong (Goryeong-Seongju-Chilgok), and in Gyeongnam, Choi Hyung-doo (Changwon Masanhappo-gu), Yoon Han-hong (Changwon Masanhoewon-gu), Park Dae-chul (Jinju Gap), Kang Min-guk (Jinju Eul), Jeong Jeom-sik (Tongyeong-Goseong), Seo Il-jun (Geoje), Yoon Young-seok (Yangsan Gap), and Shin Seong-beom (Sancheong-Hamyang-Geochang-Hapcheon) received uncontested nominations.

Among the 12 uncontested candidates, 11 are incumbent lawmakers. Except for former lawmaker Shin Seong-beom, who is running in Sancheong-Hamyang-Geochang-Hapcheon after incumbent lawmaker Kim Tae-ho moved to a different constituency, and Yoon Chang-hyun, who was elected via proportional representation, the 10 incumbent lawmakers are seeking re-election in their respective constituencies. Regarding the advantage of incumbency, Jeong Young-hwan, head of the People Power Party's Nomination Committee, stated, "Incumbent lawmakers who have managed their constituencies well have shown clear indicators. We are not replacing incumbents indiscriminately; those who have managed their constituencies thoroughly should be rewarded, and those who have not are subject to replacement."

Senior lawmakers who have moved their constituencies to the Nakdong River Belt are expected to compete in party primaries. Three-term lawmakers Cho Hae-jin and Kim Tae-ho moved to Gimhae Eul and Yangsan Eul constituencies, respectively, at the party's request. However, there is opposition to the reassignment of senior lawmakers in these constituencies. Jeong, head of the Nomination Committee, said, "We are aware of the local constituency situations. We will carefully consider whether to hold primaries or, in some cases, proceed with priority recommendations and announce accordingly."

There is also a possibility of additional reassignments within the Nakdong River Belt. When asked about plans for further reassignments, Jeong said, "Of course, there are plans. When valuable assets or good talents overlap in one area, after interviews, we ask for their intentions and reassignments are possible." However, Jang Dong-hyuk, Secretary-General of the People Power Party, explained, "Constituency reassignment is a general explanation; there are no additional considerations at this time."

There are also forecasts that incumbent lawmakers in the Yeongnam region will be significantly replaced. Excluding Busan, the Yeongnam region has 47 seats, but only 10 candidates received uncontested nominations. Jeong, head of the Nomination Committee, said, "It is not that incumbents will be replaced excessively; we expect the process to proceed naturally."

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