People Power Party Convention Candidate Registration Closes... 9 Candidates Run for Party Leader

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The registration for candidates in the party convention to elect the new leadership of the People Power Party closed on the 3rd.

The Central Election Commission of the People Power Party announced that it received candidate registration applications over two days, from the 2nd to the 3rd, for the 3rd party convention to elect the party leader and Supreme Council members, and has now finalized the registration.

A total of nine candidates registered for the party leader position. Among the incumbent lawmakers, Kim Ki-hyun, Ahn Cheol-soo, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Cho Kyung-tae registered. From outside the National Assembly, registered candidates include Kang Shin-up, a lawyer and former president of Kim Geon-hee’s fan club 'Geonhee Sarang', Kim Jun-gyo, former Liberty Korea Party youth supreme council candidate, Yoon Ki-man, CEO of Taepyeongyang Construction, Chun Ha-ram, former member of the People Power Party Innovation Committee, and Hwang Kyo-ahn, former leader of the United Future Party.

Eighteen candidates threw their hats in the ring for the four Supreme Council member positions. Among current lawmakers, Park Sung-joong, Lee Man-hee, Lee Yong, Cho Soo-jin, Tae Young-ho, and Heo Eun-ah are running. From outside the Assembly, candidates include Kim Byung-min, former emergency committee member; Kim Se-ui, head of the 'Garo Sero Research Institute'; Kim Yong-tae, former youth supreme council member; Kim Jae-won, former supreme council member; Ryu Yeo-hae, former Liberty Korea Party supreme council member; Moon Byung-ho, former lawmaker; Min Young-sam, former special public relations advisor for national integration in Yoon Seok-yeol’s presidential campaign; Shin Hye-sik, head of the YouTube channel 'Shinui Hansu'; writer Jung Dong-hee; Jung Mi-kyung, former supreme council member; Ji Chang-soo, former Seoul Metropolitan Council member; and Chun Kang-jung, former first supreme council candidate.

For the youth supreme council member seat reserved for candidates under 45 years old, eleven candidates have entered the race. Among current lawmakers, only Ji Seong-ho is running. From outside the Assembly, candidates include Koo Hyuk-mo, former head of new media publicity for Ahn Cheol-soo’s presidential campaign; Kim Ga-ram, former president of the Korea Junior Chamber Central Association; lawyer Kim Young-ho; Kim Jeong-sik, CEO of Turning Point; Seo Won-ryeol, who participated in 'I Am the National Representative'; Yang Ki-yeol, former youth committee chairman of the People Power Party Central Committee; Ok Ji-won, former vice chairman; Lee Gi-in, Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly member; Lee Uk-hee, Chungbuk Provincial Assembly member; and Jang Ye-chan, chairman of the Youth Foundation.

The party convention election commission will conduct a qualification review on the 5th to select candidates who will advance to the preliminary primary (cutoff). Afterwards, a public opinion poll will be conducted among 6,000 responsible party members to finalize the main primary lineup on the 10th, selecting four party leader candidates, eight supreme council member candidates, and four youth supreme council member candidates. Those who advance to the main primary will enter the full race, participating in joint regional speeches nationwide until the party convention held on the 8th of next month.