Yoon Seok-yeol, Hong Joon-pyo, Yoo Seung-min, Won Hee-ryong, and 8 Others Pass People Power Party First Cutoff (Comprehensive)

Park Jin, Jang Gi-pyo, Jang Sung-min Eliminated
Ahn Sang-soo, Hwang Kyo-ahn Seem to Have Caught the Last Train
Vote Percentages and Rankings Not Disclosed

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Eight People Power Party presidential primary candidates, including Yoon Seok-yeol, Hong Joon-pyo, and Yoo Seung-min, passed the first cut-off. Representative Park Jin, Jang Gi-pyo, chairman of the Gimhae-eul party committee, and former lawmaker Jang Sung-min were eliminated. On the 15th, Jeong Hong-won, chairman of the People Power Party's presidential election management committee, announced the results of the first cut-off, which narrowed down 11 candidates to 8. Due to relatively low interest amid issues such as the absence of debates, disputes over primary rules, and allegations of report solicitation, there is an urgent need to devise a 'promotion strategy' going forward.

The first cut-off results announced that former Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-soo, former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, Representative Ha Tae-kyung, Representative Hong Joon-pyo, and former Future United Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn passed the primary (in alphabetical order). Retired Army General Park Chan-joo, who had entered as a preliminary candidate, withdrew after declaring support for Representative Hong. This first cut-off reflected public opinion polls conducted over two days, the 13th and 14th, targeting 2,000 responsible party members and 2,000 general citizens. The party member vote accounted for 20%, and the general citizen poll accounted for 80%. The ranking of votes among candidates was not disclosed.

In political circles, it was anticipated that former Prosecutor General Yoon, Representative Hong, former lawmaker Yoo, former Chairman Choi, former Governor Won, and Representative Ha, who had shown an advantage in polls, would smoothly pass the first cut-off. Attention was focused on who would secure the remaining two spots, with it presumed that former Mayor Ahn and former leader Hwang, who have solid organizational bases, succeeded in making the final cut.

The People Power Party presidential primary did not include mutual debates among candidates due to the unexpectedly large number of candidates. Instead, it was filled with vision presentations, pressure interviews, and live broadcasts. The primary candidates were even criticized for resembling a 'school recital,' resulting in relatively low public attention. Within the party, there were critical voices suggesting that the absence of debates reflected the intentions of the leading candidate Yoon's campaign.

Regarding such criticism, Chairman Jeong stated, "It was practically impossible for 12 candidates to debate before the cut-off, and efficiency would have been low, so we provided opportunities for candidates to promote their policies sincerely," adding, "The second primary will focus on debates."

Going forward, the election management committee will hold TV debates among the eight candidates and enter the full-scale primary. On the 8th of next month, the second cut-off will narrow the candidates down to four. The second cut-off will reflect 30% from the electorate and 70% from public opinion polls. Subsequently, the final primary will determine the presidential candidate on November 9. In the final primary, according to the People Power Party's constitution and regulations, 50% of the vote will come from the electorate and 50% from public opinion polls. Earlier, the election management committee announced plans to introduce questions assessing general election competitiveness in the final primary.