On the afternoon of the 13th, Jang Donghyuk, a candidate for party leader, is giving a speech at the United Power Party's joint rally for the Chungcheong and Honam regions held at Paichai University in Seo-gu, Daejeon. 2025.8.13 Photo by Yonhap News

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With just four days remaining until the People Power Party’s national convention, the final strategic maneuvering among the four party leadership contenders has become increasingly intense. As the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor team (led by Special Prosecutor Min Jungki) attempts to raid the People Power Party’s central headquarters, anti-impeachment candidates Kim Moonsoo and Jang Donghyuk are gaining a boost from the consolidation of conservative support. Meanwhile, the possibility of a dramatic unification between pro-impeachment candidates Ahn Cheolsoo and Cho Kyungtae is being seen as the biggest variable.

The People Power Party will hold a vote among its 500,000 dues-paying members and conduct a public opinion poll on August 20 and 21, followed by a national convention in Osco, Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on August 22 to elect a new party leader. If no candidate wins a majority in the main election, the top two candidates will compete in a runoff on August 26. As there is currently no candidate with an overwhelming lead, it is likely that the frontrunners, Kim Moonsoo and Jang Donghyuk, will compete for the party leadership.

Ahn Cheolsoo (left) and Cho Kyungtae, candidates running for the People Power Party leadership election, are talking before the second television debate held at KBS in Yeouido, Seoul on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News

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The key variable is whether a last-minute unification will occur. Cho Kyungtae has repeatedly proposed unifying the "innovation candidates," but Ahn Cheolsoo continues to maintain a negative stance. An official from Ahn Cheolsoo’s camp stated in a phone call, "There has been talk of unification, but neither Cho nor his allies have contacted us individually," adding, "We are not considering unification." However, if the anti-impeachment candidates continue to gain momentum, there remains a possibility that an alliance could be formed around the final TV debate on the 19th.

Democratic Party leader Chung Cheongrae and People Power Party emergency committee chairman Song Eonseok are seated looking in different directions at the memorial ceremony for the 16th anniversary of former President Kim Daejung's death, held at the National Seoul Memorial Hall in Dongjak-gu, Seoul on August 18, 2025. Photo by Yonhap News

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Another variable is the special prosecutor’s investigation targeting the People Power Party. The special prosecutor is expected to attempt another raid of the party’s central headquarters as early as today, aiming to secure a list containing the personal information of approximately 5 million party members in connection with the "Geonjin Buddhist Monk and Unification Church Favoritism Allegations." In response, the People Power Party will hold an emergency general meeting of lawmakers in front of the Kim Keonhee special prosecutor’s office in Jongno-gu and the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu this afternoon, mobilizing all efforts to resist.

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, stretching during an indefinite sit-in on the first floor of the Yeouido Central Party Office on the 15th. YouTube Kim Moonsoo TV

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As the special prosecutor’s pressure intensifies, support for the anti-impeachment candidates is likely to consolidate. Kim Moonsoo has been conducting an indefinite sit-in in the lobby of the party’s central headquarters for six consecutive days. Ahn Cheolsoo also plans to attend the emergency general meeting in front of the special prosecutor’s office today to emphasize his combative stance. A representative from Ahn’s camp stated, "It is true that the special prosecutor’s investigation is excessive," adding, "As a party leadership candidate, he must go where the lawmakers are (the emergency general meeting)."

Song Eonseok, the emergency committee chairman and floor leader, stated at the emergency committee meeting held at the central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, "We cannot cooperate at all with this inhumane and opposition-suppressing raid that treats all People Power Party members as potential criminals," adding, "Today, our lawmakers will go to the unconstitutional special prosecutor’s office led by Min Jungki to demand an end to the unjust political retaliation and the seizure of party membership lists under the guise of a raid."