"Sudogwon" vs "You Need to Know How to Win"... Two-Way Race for Ruling Party Floor Leader

4-term Kim Hak-yong "Will Lead the Momentum in the Capital Area"
3-term Yoon Jae-ok "Must Know How to Win, Not Just Represent the Region"

On the 4th, Kim Hak-yong (4th term, Anseong, Gyeonggi) and Yoon Jae-ok (3-term, Dalseo-eul, Daegu) both officially declared their candidacies for the next floor leader position of the People Power Party. Kim emphasized a 'capital region' floor leader, while Yoon shouted that 'leadership' is more important than regional balance.

On the same day, Kim held an official floor leader candidacy declaration press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and stated, "I always keep the initial intention from when we won the presidential election a year ago in my heart, and I will definitely become a 'strong ruling party's' 'winning floor leader.'"

At 2:20 p.m. on the same day and at the same location, Yoon also officially declared his candidacy. Yoon said, "Rather than being the main actor, I will become a floor leader who dedicates and serves so that our party's senior and fellow lawmakers can freely carry out legislative activities, and so that the Yoon Suk-yeol government can properly gain strength and work."

Yoon Jae-ok (left) and Kim Hak-yong, members of the People Power Party, who announced their intention to run for the next floor leader election (Photo by Yonhap News)

In a de facto one-on-one contest, Kim claimed to be a 'capital region' floor leader. Kim said, "For the general election victory, the capital region, where 121 seats are at stake, is crucial, but currently, the People Power Party holds only 19 seats, and honestly, the recent atmosphere is not very good. I have been elected four times after fierce battles in Gyeonggi Province, a tough district for our party. If I become the floor leader, I will use that experience to become the vanguard of the momentum in the capital region, the biggest battleground of the general election."

On the other hand, Yoon raised his voice that experience and leadership are needed. Yoon said, "Of course, the capital region election is important, but we have already experienced in several past elections that a capital region floor leader does not guarantee victory in the capital region," and countered, "Winning the general election is not about regional balance but the result of leadership with experience and expertise." He added, "We need a floor leader who knows how to win, not a floor leader representing a region."

They also emphasized their strengths to fight against the major opposition party. Kim, who cited 'communication skills' as his strength, explained, "Communication is the source of power and the key to victory. I have accumulated various political experiences starting as a secretary to a member of the National Assembly and including local councilors. I will gain the people's hearts with policies that resonate on the ground and a humble attitude."

Yoon mentioned 'negotiation skills' as his strength. Yoon said, "In the 20th National Assembly, I served as the chief deputy floor leader and was responsible for practical negotiations for the special prosecutor investigation into the Druking comment manipulation case. The special prosecutor investigation, which was realized through the hunger strike of former floor leader Kim Sung-tae, was supported by my meticulous negotiation and coordination, which ultimately revealed the crimes of the Druking gang. Although we were a powerless opposition party divided right after the impeachment, we never gave up and kept negotiating to achieve the best results."

Kim proposed pledges such as nurturing star players in each field through customized support and increasing support rates among the 2030 generation and moderate voters. Yoon promised to establish a floor strategy responsive to public sentiment and to completely review the legislative system.

Since both Kim and Yoon are classified as part of the 'pro-Yoon' faction, there is no sign of factional conflict. Yoon previously served as the situation room chief for then-presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol.

The People Power Party will accept floor leader candidate registrations on the 5th and elect the new floor leader at a party members' meeting on the 7th.