All Four Former National Assembly Members from Lee Jun-seok Faction Survive... 'Pro-Yoon' Candidates Face Mass Dropout

Cheon Ha-ram "Party members who want reform have given support"
Kim Ki-hyun & An Cheol-soo "We respect the choice of party members"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] In the March 8 party convention to elect new leadership, all four candidates affiliated with the Lee Jun-seok faction passed the preliminary cut-off. Incumbent lawmakers classified as 'pro-Yoon' faction, such as Lee Yong and Lee Man-hee, suffered defeats in the Supreme Council member election.

According to the People Power Party Central Election Commission on the 10th, among the party leader candidates, Kim Ki-hyun, Ahn Cheol-soo, Chun Ha-ram, and Hwang Kyo-ahn secured their spots in the final round. For Supreme Council members, candidates Kim Byung-min, Kim Yong-tae, Kim Jae-won, Jung Mi-kyung, Cho Soo-jin, Tae Young-ho, and Heo Eun-ah passed the cut-off, while for youth Supreme Council members, Kim Ga-ram, Kim Jeong-sik, Lee Gi-in, and Jang Ye-chan advanced.

Chun Ha-ram, a party leader candidate classified as part of the Lee Jun-seok faction, along with Heo Eun-ah and Kim Yong-tae for Supreme Council members, and Lee Gi-in for youth Supreme Council members, all survived the cut-off. Incumbent lawmakers such as Lee Man-hee, Lee Yong, and Park Sung-joong, who closely accompanied President Yoon during the presidential election, were eliminated. Lee Man-hee and Lee Yong are second-term lawmakers and the most senior incumbents among those running for Supreme Council member this time.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Candidate Chun said, "I was happy to be included on the list, but my heart was touched when the names of candidates Heo Eun-ah, Kim Yong-tae, and Lee Gi-in were announced," adding, "Although the 'reform candidate team' did not start early, it is moving to see many party members who desire reform giving us great support." Candidate Heo said, "I think party members have shown how healthy, promising, and hopeful our party is."

After the cut-off results were announced, Candidate Chun also said he contacted former leader Lee Jun-seok to say, "Let's raise the level of the election significantly." The four candidates will also perform a 'thank you to party members' event together in front of the National Assembly main gate in the afternoon.

Kim Ki-hyun, a representative 'pro-Yoon' candidate, commented on the Lee Jun-seok faction candidates passing the cut-off, saying, "Party members must have considered various factors and made their judgment, and I respect their will. I will watch with interest to see the final voting results." However, regarding the elimination of pro-Yoon faction Supreme Council candidates, he distanced himself by saying, "I don't know well how the Supreme Council member election was conducted."

Ahn Cheol-soo, who has opposed the pro-Yoon faction, expressed a welcoming stance. He said, "As I have said before, I believe it is good for diverse people to participate in the party convention. I trust the party members' choice."

The candidates who advanced to the final round held a 'Better Future' pledge ceremony with the party leadership at the National Assembly main building. At this event, the candidates signed a pledge containing commitments such as fair competition.

Meanwhile, the party election commission warned lawmakers and party district chiefs to refrain from election campaigning, stating, "We have received reports that lawmakers and party district chiefs posted SNS messages supporting specific candidates." This was a response to a report received on the 9th from Ahn's camp. It is known that Ahn's camp reported to the election commission with posts from lawmakers Lee Cheol-gyu, Park Soo-young, and Bae Hyun-jin attached.

Earlier, on the 1st, the party election commission sent an official letter to lawmakers and external party district chiefs stating that according to the regulations for electing party leader and Supreme Council members, lawmakers and party district chiefs who are not candidates cannot engage in election campaigning.