Heated Debate Without 'Overwhelming No.1'
Chun Ha-ram Front Attacker 'Criticized by All'
[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] The competition for party leadership in the March 8 People Power Party convention is intensifying. The 'two-strong' candidates, Kim Ki-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo, who had been showing a bipolar structure, are engaged in fierce battles, bringing up colorism and even real estate speculation allegations, while the recently advancing candidates Cheon Ha-ram and Hwang Kyo-ahn have also sharpened their offensives.
On the 17th, Kim's campaign headquarters announced through a media release, "We have sent a formal letter strongly requesting strict measures from the Central Party Convention Election Commission regarding Ahn Cheol-soo's slanderous propaganda and personal attacks."
This was in response to Ahn's remarks at a joint speech held in Gwangju the previous day, where he said that Hwang, during the first TV debate on the 15th, targeted Kim by raising suspicions about speculative gains from the Ulsan KTX station area, stating, "His sly remark about selling at a 95% discount actually admitted to huge speculative gains," and added, "Kim candidate must properly explain the 1,800-fold profit." The campaign headquarters urged the election commission to take action.
'Kim Ki-hyun VS Ahn Cheol-soo' Real Estate Allegation Dispute
On the 15th, candidates Cheon Ha-ram, Kim Ki-hyun, Ahn Cheol-soo, and Hwang Kyo-ahn (from left) posed before the first TV debate for the People Power Party leadership candidates held at the TV Chosun studio in Jung-gu, Seoul. (Photo by Yonhap News)
Kim's campaign headquarters explained, "Ahn's remarks clearly violate Article 39, Clause 7 of the 'Regulations on the Election of Party Leader and Supreme Council Members,' which prohibits candidate defamation, slanderous propaganda, and personal attacks," adding, "We will respond with the recognition that we can no longer tolerate slander, fabrication, and personal insults."
Ahn's campaign headquarters immediately countered. Chief spokesperson Lee Jong-cheol issued a statement saying, "Unable to explain himself, is the election commission, which should be the impartial manager of the election, being used as a shield for the candidate?" and added, "The world is not so simple that shouting will make everything work."
The 'Ulsan KTX route change speculative gain' allegation was previously raised by the Democratic Party against Kim's side. The road connecting to the KTX Ulsan station was altered from the original plan to curve through land owned by Kim, allegedly resulting in a speculative gain of 1,800 times. At that time, Kim was a member of the National Assembly for Ulsan, and the Ulsan mayor was Park Maeng-woo, a former lawmaker from the same party. The Democratic Party even formed a 'Kim Ki-hyun Local and Construction Corruption Investigation Task Force (TF)' in 2021.
However, Kim's side denied any legal violations or responsibility. Kim said on Facebook the previous day, "Are you just repeating fake news shouted by Democratic Party lawmakers trying to silence me, who was the floor leader?" and added, "My standing here is proof of my confidence. Not being arrested or investigated and standing confidently in politics and at the convention is evidence of my verified morality without a speck of doubt."
Cheon Ha-ram Joins the 'Verbal Battle'
Candidate Cheon is playing the role of an attacker in this convention. Having worked as a political panelist, Cheon is active in speeches and TV debates with his excellent rhetoric. At the debate on the 15th, Cheon asked Kim, who is supported by pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction lawmakers, "Is Ahn the enemy of the president? Why does the presidential office consider Ahn an enemy?" Moreover, Cheon defined the 'Yunhaekgwan' (key figures in Yoon Suk-yeol's camp) as 'traitors,' showing his clear stance.
He especially emphasized the 'Hwang-Cheon Road Match,' named after the first syllables of Hwang Kyo-ahn and Cheon Ha-ram, demonstrating his combat power by attacking both strong candidates Kim and Ahn simultaneously.
Cheon appeared on YTN radio's 'News King Park Ji-hoon' the previous day and introduced the 'Hwang-Cheon Road Match,' saying, "If debates continue like this, the runoff might be between Cheon Ha-ram and Hwang Kyo-ahn."
Kim and Ahn are neck and neck for first place in various opinion polls.
According to a poll conducted by People Networks Research (PNR) commissioned by PoliNews and Gyeongnam Yeonhap Ilbo from the 14th to 15th, among 3,003 men and women aged 18 and over nationwide, including 1,387 People Power Party supporters (with a sampling error of ±2.6 percentage points at a 95% confidence level), the support rates were Kim Ki-hyun (41.2%), Ahn Cheol-soo (24.6%), Cheon Ha-ram (13.4%), and Hwang Kyo-ahn (12.6%).
On the other hand, the National Barometer Survey (NBS) conducted by Embrain Public, K-Stat Research, Korea Research, and Hankook Research from the 13th to 15th surveyed 1,000 men and women aged 18 and over nationwide, including 395 People Power Party supporters, showing Ahn ahead of Kim within the margin of error (±4.9 percentage points at 95% confidence level) with 30% to 26%.
Cheon is also on a rapid rise. Although he officially declared his candidacy on the 3rd, relatively late, he has consistently maintained support rates in the 10% range in recent polls targeting People Power Party supporters. If no candidate surpasses 50% in the March 8 convention, a runoff election will be held, and Cheon's presence increases the likelihood of this outcome.
Moreover, in the PNR poll conducted among both People Power Party supporters and the general public, Cheon recorded a support rate of 24.2%, surpassing Ahn (23.5%) and Kim (22.1%), becoming the 'people's favorite.' Considering that the convention reflects 100% of the party members' votes, this clearly shows a gap between public sentiment and party sentiment.
For more details, refer to the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.
Cheon Ha-ram, a candidate for the People Power Party's March 8 party leadership election, is holding a placard and appealing for support in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 6th. (Photo by Yonhap News)
On the 13th, election posters of the People Power Party's 3rd party representative candidates and supreme council member candidates were posted in the corridor of the National Assembly main building in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Election Commission Issues Strict Warning: "Immediately Stop Groundless Slander"
The Election Commission has officially issued a 'strict warning.' Yoo Heung-soo, the head of the convention election commission, held a press conference at the National Assembly communication center on the day and said, "Candidates have the duty to debate vigorously and healthily but compete cleanly. However, as the convention enters its mid-stage, the atmosphere has overheated somewhat, causing concern among the public and party members due to baseless accusations and excessive remarks by some candidates. We express deep regret and strongly urge the immediate cessation of groundless slander and reckless allegations."
Yoo added, "Attacking opponents based on unverified suspicions only makes this convention dirty," and warned, "If such behavior continues, strict direct sanctions will be imposed according to party rules and regulations."
Within the party, voices calling for restraint continue. A first-term lawmaker said, "If this 'divide and rule' or 'division' image continues, I worry about what will happen after the convention. There is a general election next year, and showing unity would provide stability to party members and the public," adding, "It would be better if candidates focused more on policies rather than mutual accusations."
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