With just over 70 days until the local elections on June 3, the main opposition party, the People Power Party, is struggling to finalize its candidates. Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the cutoff date, uncertainty is growing, especially in the selection of a candidate for the Gyeonggi Province governorship.
Jeong Hyeon, the head of the People Power Party's candidate management committee, stated via social media on the 24th that the selection of a Gyeonggi Province governor candidate is one of the most important tasks ahead. He emphasized that the committee is evaluating potential candidates and considering expanding the selection pool if necessary.
Two candidates, Yang Hyang-ja and Ham Jin-gyu, have applied for the Gyeonggi Province governor nomination. Jeong praised them as "meaningful candidates" but stressed that the decision should not be based solely on individual competitiveness, highlighting the need for strong leadership abilities to influence the election landscape in the capital region.
The possibility of strategic nominations or additional candidates is being considered within the party, with figures like Yoo Seung-min and Kim Moon-soo being mentioned as potential candidates. However, both individuals are reportedly cautious or have not definitively declared their candidacy. There are also discussions about a potential "Plan B."
The controversy surrounding the cutoff date continues. Lee Jin-suk, who initially ran for mayor of Daegu but was cut off, held a press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, calling for a reconsideration of the cutoff decision by the candidate management committee.
Lee stated that numerous opinion polls overwhelmingly supported her and demanded that the party and citizens recognize her as a solution to the crisis facing Daegu. She urged the cancellation of her exclusion from the nomination process and expressed strong requests for reconsideration.
Joo Ho-young, a six-term lawmaker also cut off, demanded a clear stance from the party leadership and raised objections. However, the previous day, the party leader Jang Dong-hyuk emphasized the need to respect the committee's decision and acknowledged that sacrifices may be required for the party during the nomination process.
Kim Young-hwan, who was cut off from the primary race for the Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do, also intensified his criticism of the candidate management committee. He claimed that police investigation information influenced the party's candidate selection decision and criticized the possible involvement of investigative and nomination rights in a controversial "political manipulation."