[Hot Interview] Jang Ye-chan "Accepting Unfavorable Conditions... Unification Requires Response from People Power Party"

Jang Ye-chan, an independent candidate in Suyeong District, Busan, proposed a primary election to unify conservative candidates on the 1st. With the People Power Party and the Democratic Party each fielding candidates, and himself as an independent, there is concern that the conservative vote could be split in the main election.

Candidate Jang previously defeated incumbent Jeon Bong-min in the primary and was nominated as the People Power Party candidate for Suyeong District. However, due to controversial remarks he made on his social network service (SNS) during his 20s, his nomination was canceled on the 16th of last month. Three days after the cancellation, Jang announced his intention to run as an independent, and the People Power Party re-nominated candidate Jeong Yeon-wook. Currently, the candidates for the Suyeong District National Assembly seat are number 1 Yoo Dong-cheol, number 2 Jeong Yeon-wook, and number 7 Jang Ye-chan.

Jang Ye-chan, Independent Candidate for Suyeong District, Busan. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

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What is the background for proposing unification?

The residents are most worried that if the vote is split, the Democratic Party might win. Regardless of my personal gains or losses, I proposed unification even under very unfavorable conditions, whether it be 100% party member votes or 100% opinion polls. If People Power Party candidate Jeong Yeon-wook does not respond and rejects this, it means he is siding with the Democratic Party and has no intention of protecting Suyeong. I believe the residents will judge those who avoid unification in the election.

How likely is unification?

It only requires the party’s decision. A 100% party member survey can be completed in just one day. Unification can happen before early voting. If unification does not occur, the ruling party’s sense of crisis will increase tremendously.

The situation in Busan and Gyeongnam does not seem simple.

Honestly, I have not paid attention to other districts. I only think about Suyeong District, and based on the public sentiment I feel, Jeong and I will split the vote almost evenly in Suyeong. There are hardly any people causing an independent surge like this. The fact that even with the People Power Party banner, they cannot overwhelm me or defeat the Democratic Party means the candidate’s competitiveness is declining.

Han Dong-hoon, the emergency committee chairman, said rejoining the party after the election would not be allowed.

Although the party says no now, historically, there has never been a case where an independent lawmaker was not allowed to rejoin. The People Power Party will be short of one seat, so there is no reason not to allow reentry.

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