Who is the Right Candidate for Joo Ho-young's 'Capital Region·MZ Generation Representation'... Ahn Cheol-soo Officially Runs for Party Leadership (Comprehensive)

Joo Ho-young Raises Issue, Yoo Seung-min and Yoon Sang-hyun Also Voice "Me First"
Ahn Cheol-soo Officially Declares Candidacy Emphasizing "70 Seats in Capital Region and MZ Support"
Party Leadership Race Intensifies... Pro-Yoon Faction Feels Uneasy

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the ruling party's leadership election is expected to be held as early as the end of February next year, the competition for party leadership is intensifying. While the candidates each claim to be the right talent representing the 'Capital Region and MZ Generation,' Representative Ahn Cheol-soo officially challenged for the party leadership, confidently stating he will secure '70 seats in the Capital Region and support from the MZ generation.' However, there are signs that the pro-Yoon faction feels uncomfortable with conditions being attached to the party leader position. Criticism is also emerging that the leadership competition is becoming excessively heated.

"I am the perfect candidate representing the 'Capital Region and MZ Generation'..." Leadership candidates unanimously claim

On the 8th, Representative Ahn visited his hometown of Busan and held a press conference, stating, "Without winning on the Han River front, we cannot lead Korean politics. In the next general election, we must aim for at least 70 seats in the Capital Region," and raised his voice, "As party leader, I will take charge of the election and achieve 170 seats." Although Ahn had previously hinted at his intention to run for party leadership indirectly, this is the first time he has openly declared his candidacy.

He also emphasized, "The next leader of the People Power Party to be elected must symbolize change," adding, "They must be able to manage nomination conflicts well and attract support from the moderate voters and the 2030 MZ generation. I, Ahn Cheol-soo, am confident that I can be that leader."

Ahn's declaration of candidacy drew attention as it came amid House Leader Joo Ho-young and Emergency Committee Chairman Chung Jin-seok jointly stating the need for a party leader who can gain support from the Capital Region and the MZ generation. Potential ruling party leadership candidates are also emphasizing that they perfectly fit these criteria.

Yoon Sang-hyun, considered one of the next ruling party leadership candidates, appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that morning, saying, "People around me strongly request, 'Isn't Yoon Sang-hyun the one to win the Capital Region election?'" and added, "I want to throw my passion and wisdom into the success of the president and government."

Yoon was elected as an independent in the 2020 general election from Michuhol District, Incheon, and then returned to the party. Considering that the People Power Party holds 17 seats out of 121 in Seoul and Incheon, he is regarded as competitive in the Capital Region. He said, "Looking at the current leadership candidates, who really has a strong chance of winning the Capital Region?" and added, "I don't see anyone who has won their own constituency in the Capital Region." The day before, former Representative Yoo Seung-min also mentioned House Leader Joo's remarks on the radio, saying, "I wondered why he publicly supports me, but am I the only candidate who fits the conditions?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Pro-Yoon faction's uneasy mood: "Does the referee set election criteria?" "Emphasizing support from specific regions or groups is narrow-minded"

However, there are signs of discomfort within the party, especially among the pro-Yoon faction, regarding the party's top two officials openly discussing conditions for the party leader. Following Representative Jang Je-won's criticism the day before, saying, "Can the referee set election criteria?" Representative Kim Ki-hyun also appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" that morning, stating, "Talking about conditions is nonsense," and added, "We must secure support from the entire nation and all regions, but saying that only support from specific regions and groups is enough is a very narrow view."

The debate over the party leader conditions is closely related to the rules of the leadership election, making future discussions over rule changes inevitable. Currently, only 70% of the party members' votes are reflected, and there is debate among leadership candidates about whether to raise this to around 90%, with opinions divided depending on advantages and disadvantages. Voices criticizing the overheating of the leadership competition are also emerging. Hong Joon-pyo, Daegu Mayor and the party's senior advisor, emphasized on his SNS that day, "Do they still mistake the party leader election for a talent contest?" and added, "We must elect a dignified figure whom party members can trust and rely on."