Joo Kwangduk, Prospective Namyangju Mayor Candidate, Refuses Nomination Committee Attendance... Urges Supreme Council’s Decision

Joo Kwangduk, Prospective Candidate for Namyangju Mayor
Officially Replies to Central Nomination Committee’s Request for Attendance:
“Meeting with Supreme Council Should Come First”
“Only Jang Donghyuk’s Stepdown Paves the Way to Victory”
Draws a Line: “Will Not Register as Candidate If Demands Are Not Met”
Speaks on Behalf of 31 City and County Candidates in Gyeonggi Province

Joo Kwangduk, prospective candidate for Mayor of Namyangju City from the People Power Party, has refused the attendance request from the party's Central Nomination Management Committee and called on the party leadership to make a decisive move. In addition to demanding Representative Jang Donghyuk’s stepdown from the second line and the formation of a Grand Conservative Unification Election Committee, he reaffirmed his firm stance that he would not register as a candidate if his demands were not accepted.

On May 12, in an official reply sent to the chair of the Central Nomination Management Committee, Joo stated, "The issues of Representative Jang Donghyuk’s second-line stepdown and the formation of a unified election committee should be decided by the Supreme Council, not the Nomination Committee," and requested a prior meeting with the Supreme Council.

This emphasizes, as he stated at a press conference at the National Assembly the previous day, that what is required is a political decision at the Supreme Council level, not merely opinion gathering by the Nomination Committee regarding his call for party leadership reform.

In his reply, Joo argued, "What I have requested concerns a political decision that will determine the fate of the party," and stated, "The proper procedure is for the Supreme Council to listen to opinions and make a decision, and only then, if necessary, should I appear before the Nomination Committee."

He further urged responsible action from the party leadership, saying, "With the election just days away, the candidates’ desperate voices should not be dismissed as mere administrative procedures."

He especially emphasized that his actions are not a criticism of the party, but rather a sincere appeal for victory in a time of crisis.

Joo stressed, "Having served as the head of the Gyeonggi Provincial Party and having benefited from being nominated six times, I am sounding the alarm as a 'first penguin' with a heart full of anguish." He added, "This decision is a life-or-death appeal for the 31 candidates in Gyeonggi Province’s cities and counties who are facing an existential crisis."

Finally, Joo reiterated that his actions are not a simple defection, but a 'life-or-death' decision for the 31 city and county candidates in Gyeonggi Province who are facing an existential crisis. He expressed his sincerity by saying, "Having served as the head of the Gyeonggi Provincial Party and as a beneficiary of six nominations, I am ringing the emergency bell as a 'first penguin' with a heart full of anguish."

Earlier, on May 11, Joo released a press statement through Facebook, saying, "Our party is like a burning ship right now," and demanded: ▲the stepdown of Representative Jang Donghyuk from the second line, and ▲the formation of a 'Grand Unification Election Committee' for conservative unity. He also drew a clear line, saying, "If the party does not accept the calls for change and unity, I will not register as a candidate for Namyangju Mayor," staking his political career on the decision.

Attention is now focused on whether Joo's public opposition will escalate into internal conflict within the People Power Party ahead of the local elections.