Kim Tae-heum Enters Election Campaign "Big-hearted Politician"
'Yoon Seok-yeol's Close Associate' Kwon Seong-dong Contemplates Candidacy
People Power Party floor leader candidates Kim Tae-heum, Kim Ki-hyun, Kwon Seong-dong, and Yoo Ui-dong attended the party members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th to elect the floor leader, posing while holding hands. Photo by Yoo Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] As the Democratic Party has elected a new floor leader after the presidential election, the People Power Party has also begun an under-the-table competition. With about a month left until the election, attention is focused on how the variable of 'presidential election victory' will change the outcome of the party's internal election.
According to political circles on the 25th, the candidates for the new floor leader include three-term lawmaker Kim Tae-heum and four-term lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong. Kim decided to run early and has entered the election battle. In a phone interview with this paper, he said, "Since I lost the last election, I will make a re-challenge," and expressed confidence, saying, "A bold politician capable of facing a large opposition party is needed." It is known that Kwon is considering whether to run based on recommendations from his surroundings.
They had a fierce competition in the floor leader election last April. In the first round of voting, Kim ranked second and advanced to the runoff, while Kwon, who was initially considered a strong competitor to then floor leader Kim Ki-hyun, remained in third place. However, this year, it has become difficult to predict the winning trend as the election is held after the presidential election. Since the People Power Party will become the ruling party, it may become important to closely observe President-elect Yoon's inner circle. A People Power Party official said, "Kim received an unexpectedly high 30 votes in last year's election, which drew attention." On the other hand, a People Power Party lawmaker predicted, "The relationship with President-elect Yoon will be considered more important."
The floor leader election is expected to be held on Friday the 29th, the last Friday before the end of Floor Leader Kim's term on the 30th of next month. Other candidates include four-term lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun and three-term lawmakers Kim Do-eup and Yoon Jae-ok.
President-elect Yoon's associates are also rumored to be candidates for the floor chief deputy leader. These include second-term lawmaker Lee Yang-su, who served as chief spokesperson during the election process, and lawmaker Kim Jeong-jae, who was appointed as a special advisor to the president-elect. There is also a possibility that lawmaker Song Eon-seok, who was appointed as the new floor chief deputy leader on the 21st, will be retained. Regarding this, a People Power Party official explained, "Depending on who becomes the floor leader, the floor chief deputy leader is likely to be appointed considering regional balance, etc." The policy committee chairman is appointed by the party leader in consultation with the newly appointed floor leader, following amendments to the party constitution and regulations last year.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
