Hwang Woo-yeo, the election commissioner of the People Power Party, announced the candidates advancing to the main election after concluding the 8th Party Leader and Supreme Council Member Election Management Committee meeting at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on August 7, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

Among the five candidates vying for the next leadership of the People Power Party, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsu, and lawmakers Jang Donghyuk, Cho Kyungtae, and Ahn Cheolsu (listed in Korean alphabetical order) have advanced to the main election.

On August 7, the party's Election Management Committee announced these results during a briefing at the central party office in Yeouido. The rankings and vote percentages for each candidate were not disclosed.

People Power Party lawmaker Joo Jinwoo is answering reporters' questions after concluding the press conference for the proposal of the 'Lee Chunseok Special Prosecutor Act' held at the National Assembly Communication Office on August 7, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

In this party convention, which was structured as a contest between pro-impeachment and anti-impeachment camps, both anti-impeachment candidates?former Minister Kim and lawmaker Jang?passed the first preliminary round (cutoff). In addition to the three major special prosecutor acts (insurrection, Kim Kunhee, and Chae Sangbyeong special prosecutors), the newly appointed Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheongrae is taking an extremely hardline stance against the opposition, which is interpreted as the reason why both party members and the public have lent their support to the anti-impeachment candidates.

Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

On the morning of the same day, former Minister Kim appeared on the "Conservative Right-Wing Alliance Debate," hosted by conservative-leaning YouTubers Jeon Hangil and Ko Seongguk, targeting the party's hardline support base. Kim stated, "If I become party leader, I will defend democracy and the ROK-US alliance from the dictatorship of President Lee Jaemyung," and added, "I will unite a party that has fallen into internal division and resist with one voice." Previously, lawmaker Jang also participated in a conservative YouTube alliance debate on July 31.

Pro-impeachment candidates Cho Kyungtae and Ahn Cheolsu also secured tickets to the main election. As a result, the main election will be contested by two pro-impeachment and two anti-impeachment candidates. The eliminated candidate, lawmaker Joo, distanced himself from the other contenders and pursued a centrist course.

On August 5, 2025, posters of five candidates running for the People Power Party leadership election and the top committee candidates were displayed at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

원본보기 아이콘

Of the twelve candidates running for Supreme Council member, eight have advanced: Kim Geunsik, Kim Minsu, Kim Jaewon, Kim Taewoo, Son Beomgyu, Shin Dongwook, Yang Hyangja, and Choi Sujin. All four candidates for Youth Supreme Council member?Park Hongjun, Son Sujo, Woo Jaejun, and Choi Woosung?advanced to the second round without a first cutoff.

The first preliminary round reflected 50% party member votes and 50% public opinion poll. Previously, the preliminary round was based 100% on party member votes, but a public opinion poll was added to better reflect the public's sentiment. The public opinion poll was conducted among People Power Party supporters and unaffiliated voters, applying a clause to prevent strategic voting. In the main election scheduled for August 20-21, party member votes will account for 80% and the public opinion poll for 20%. The party convention announcing the main election results will be held on August 22 at Osco in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province. If no candidate receives a majority, a runoff will be held on August 24-25.