With "Runoff Vote on March 12"... Cutoff 'Whispers' Amid Multiple Presidential Election Candidates

People Power Party Confirms Party Convention on March 8
Over 10 Candidates Mentioned, Preliminary Primaries Under Consideration

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] The People Power Party has decided to hold its party convention on March 8 next year, and with multiple candidates vying for party leadership, a cut-off (preliminary primary) is expected. The party's Emergency Response Committee plans to elect the party leader by March 12 next year after a runoff vote.

Jeong Jin-seok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 27th, a committee official said, "If a candidate receives more than half of the votes on the day of the convention, they will be elected. If not, voting will continue during the remaining period, and the results will be announced on the 12th." The runoff vote will be conducted via mobile, and if there is no response, opinions will be collected through an automatic response system (ARS). Earlier, Jeong Jin-seok, chairman of the People Power Party Emergency Response Committee, also stated at the committee meeting held the previous morning, "Even if a runoff vote is held, the final results will be completed before the expiration of the committee's term on March 12."

The possibility of a cut-off (elimination in the preliminary primary) remains open. Whether a cut-off will be conducted depends on the number of candidates registering in early February. If there are only 3 to 4 candidates, there will be no need for a cut-off, but if candidates multiply, a cut-off will be implemented, according to a committee official.

However, since more than 10 candidates are currently being mentioned as party leadership contenders, the likelihood of a cut-off is considered high. On this day, Representative Kim Ki-hyun declared his candidacy for party leader, and Representatives Ahn Cheol-soo, Yoon Sang-hyun, Cho Kyung-tae, and former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn also expressed their intention to run for party leadership. Na Kyung-won, vice-chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee, and former Representative Yoo Seung-min are also mentioned as contenders. Additionally, lawyer Kang Shin-up, former president of the Kim Geon-hee fan club ‘Geonhee Sarang,’ has thrown his hat into the ring, and Kim Se-ui, head of the conservative YouTube channel 'Garosero Research Institute (Gaseyeon)' with 840,000 subscribers, and Shin Hye-sik, head of the conservative-leaning YouTube channel ‘Shinui Hansu,’ are reportedly considering running for the Supreme Council.

The cut-off method is expected to be discussed in earnest after the party convention election commission is formed. Last year’s party convention, where former leader Lee Jun-seok was elected, was conducted with 50% party member votes and 50% general public opinion polls. Yoo Heung-soo, senior advisor of the People Power Party and newly appointed election commission chairman, stated, "We aim to complete the formation of the election commission within this week."

Kim Ki-hyun Announces Candidacy for Party Leadership... Other Candidates Also Expected to Declare

Earlier, at the meeting held the previous day, the Emergency Response Committee decided on March 8 next year as the date for the party convention. Chairman Jeong said, "The entire schedule, including joint debates among candidates, will take about 30 days," and explained, "After candidate registration begins in early February, a preliminary primary will be held for the cut-off, followed by the main primary starting mid-February." The venue for the party convention was decided to be the Handball Gymnasium within Jamsil Olympic Park.

With the party convention schedule finalized, the competition among party leadership candidates is intensifying. At the launch ceremony of the 2nd Busan Innovation Forum the previous day, Representative Kim Ki-hyun said, "If two people dream together rather than one alone, it becomes reality," and added, "I will contribute to Busan’s development by making delicious kimchi." In response, Representative Jang Je-won said, "A key quality of a party leader is leadership that can unite and integrate through solidarity. Who will lead 800,000 party members with solidarity and integration?" and praised Kim as "a leader with the qualities of both a virtuous elder and a brave general." Both sides have effectively accepted the ‘Kimchi Solidarity’ as a given.

In response, Representative Yoon Sang-hyun criticized on Facebook, "Various theories about alliances are coming out, but that sounds like a lack of confidence," and Representative Ahn Cheol-soo also said on KBS Radio, "It doesn’t look very desirable to focus too much on alliances without mentioning future visions."