Conservative Resolve for Regime Change... Attracting 2040 Generation with a 30s Party Leader

Victory Fueled by Youth Support
Learning Effects of the April 7 By-Election
Party Members Feel 'Half Hopeful, Half Concerned'

Challenges for Leader Lee Include People's Party Merger and Hong Jun-pyo's Return
Yoon Seok-yeol's Party Entry Also a Weighty Issue

On the 11th, at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, newly elected party leader candidate Lee Jun-seok and the Supreme Council members are posing at the party convention held to elect the new party leader. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Lee Hyun-joo] The decision by the People Power Party members to choose ‘zero-term veteran’ Lee Jun-seok as the new party leader on the 11th is interpreted as stemming from the judgment that victory in next year’s presidential election cannot be guaranteed without the support of young voters. It is also a learning effect from the narrow victory in the April 7 by-elections, driven by the support of young people in their 20s and 30s. Um Kyung-young, head of the Era Spirit Research Institute, called it "a kind of gamble." Political commentator Yoo Jae-il said, "They are fed up with the established politicians."

The series of movements became concrete when many first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party threw their hats into the ring early in the party convention. After candidate Lee Jun-seok passed the cut-off in first place, the energy yearning for innovation concentrated on him, increasing the wave. As time passed, candidate Lee began to widen the gap with other candidates in various opinion polls. The People Power Party lawmakers, who are welcoming a ‘zero-term’ leader with no experience as a member of the National Assembly, have mixed feelings of expectation and concern. One first-term lawmaker said, "Working as a party leader is a completely different matter from being outside the party, so even if changes are sought, speed control is necessary." Another lawmaker said, "The task is not only generational change but also how to contain the wind of change so that it does not scatter." The new party leader is expected to swiftly begin resolving conflicts revealed during the party convention and addressing current issues. Specifically, he must undertake party organizational reform and prepare for next year’s presidential election. The 30-something party leader will also exercise the nomination rights for the local elections in June next year. The People Power Party is standing at the gateway to a ‘path never taken before.’

On the 11th, at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul, candidates Na Kyung-won and Lee Jun-seok are waiting side by side for the results announcement of the party representative election held at the party convention. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The People Power Party resolved to merge with the People’s Party at a parliamentary meeting in April this year but failed to follow up with subsequent procedures while preparing for the party convention. Leader Lee must first settle the merger issue with the People’s Party. Although conflicts arose between Lee and Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, during the Bareunmirae Party days, both sides have indicated that past issues will not hinder the merger. Additionally, the issue of reinstating lawmakers Hong Joon-pyo and Yoon Sang-hyun must be resolved. Regarding this, Leader Lee has stated, "There is no reason to block reinstatement."

So far, Leader Lee has expressed his intention not to delay the presidential primary schedule by advocating the ‘bus theory.’ Accordingly, the heavy task of bringing in figures mentioned as opposition presidential candidates?such as former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, and former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon?before the primary begins has been placed on the shoulders of the young politician. Many predict that under the Lee Jun-seok system, candidate Yoon Seok-youl will have the greatest disruptive power in next year’s presidential election, and if this combination materializes, the political weight of Lee Jun-seok himself could be distinctly different from now. Establishing a relationship with the ruling party leader who is 22 years older than him is also a challenging task.

Meanwhile, Leader Lee has expressed his intention to introduce ‘debate battles’ and ‘policy contests’ in the party officer selection process, emphasizing ‘fair competition.’ Efforts to persuade the party to embrace such reform work are important, as it involves completely changing the operating logic of an existing political party. Above all, the appointments of the policy committee chair, secretary-general, and party leader’s secretary-general are key. Political commentator Yoo Chang-sun evaluated, "The time has come to be evaluated on leadership."