Internal Strife Persists in the Opposition Ahead of Election... Resistance to Pro-Yoon Nominations Continues

Chung Jinseok and Lee Yong Join the Race
Kim Taeheum Delays Candidacy Registration
"Expresses Doubt About Remaining in the Party"

With 30 days remaining until the 9th nationwide local elections, internal disputes over the party line continue within the People Power Party. In the parliamentary by-elections being held simultaneously with the local elections, pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) factions are entering the race, leading to ongoing internal strife such as Kim Tae-heum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province, considering leaving the party.

Park Sunghoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting on the 4th that regarding the formation of the Central Election Countermeasures Committee, "We may be able to announce the committee's formation as early as later this week or over the weekend."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th of last month. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

Some within the party argue that Representative Jang Donghyeok should consider not participating in the central election committee, but Jang's side is resisting this idea. Chief spokesperson Park emphasized, "Demonstrating unity is crucial for winning the election." Last weekend, Representative Jang attended the opening ceremonies of campaign offices for Busan mayoral candidate Park Hyungjun and Daegu mayoral candidate Chu Kyungho one after another, but signs of internal conflict surfaced during these events.

The nomination process for the by-elections is also a point of contention. In regions such as Gongju·Buyeo·Cheongyang in South Chungcheong Province and Hanam-gap in Gyeonggi Province, former lawmaker Chung Jinseok, who served as Chief Presidential Secretary during the 12·3 Martial Law, and former lawmaker Lee Yong, who was known as a bodyguard for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, are either being nominated or throwing their hats into the ring.

Governor Kim Tae-heum has indefinitely postponed the preliminary candidate registration scheduled for today. Appearing on Channel A's "Political Signal," he said, "Unless the issue of former lawmaker Chung's nomination is resolved clearly, I have expressed concerns over whether I can remain in such a party." Park Deokheum, Chairman of the Nomination Management Committee, sought to defuse the situation through Facebook, stating, "The leadership will not act against the will of the people and party members."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.