People Power Party Faces Incumbent Shake-up... 'Strongholds' Gangnam and Yeongnam Region Landmines

Few Expected to Be Cut Off... Focus on Primary Election Changes
Han Dong-hoon: "Fairness Especially in Districts with High Winning Chances"

As the People Power Party's nomination process progresses, criticism arises over the lack of turnover among incumbent members. So far, no incumbent lawmakers have been cut off (excluded from the primary) in the People Power Party. While the party insists that it is too early to judge, attention is focused on Seoul Gangnam and the Yeongnam region, known as strongholds.

People Power Party's Jeong Young-hwan, Chair of the Nomination Management Committee, is entering the Yeouido party headquarters on the 18th to announce the results of the fifth day of interviews.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 22nd, Jang Dong-hyuk, Secretary-General of the People Power Party, told reporters at the Yeouido party headquarters, "We will only know to what extent the (incumbent) renewal has been achieved after the primaries are over." He added, "It is premature to criticize that renewal has not been made when the primaries have not yet ended."

Originally, the People Power Party decided to cut off the bottom 10% by region, that is, up to 7 members. However, the actual number of cutoffs is expected to be fewer than 7. The Secretary-General stated the day before, "Those who have already changed their constituencies are not included in the evaluation of incumbent lawmakers." This means that even if they fall into the bottom 10%, they can receive nominations if they accept the party's reassignment request. So far, those who have accepted the party's reassignment requests include lawmakers Seo Byung-soo (Busan Buk·Gangseo-gap), Cho Hae-jin (Gyeongnam Gimhae-eul), Kim Tae-ho (Gyeongnam Yangsan-eul), and Park Jin (Seodaemun-eul).

However, the People Power Party rejects the criticism that there is little turnover among incumbents. Last month, the party's nomination management committee decided that incumbent lawmakers who fall into the 'bottom 10% exceeded and bottom 30% or below' category will have 20% deducted from their votes during the primary process. Additionally, lawmakers running for a third term in the same district will have 15% deducted. For example, if a third-term lawmaker running in the same district falls into the 'bottom 10% exceeded and bottom 30% or below' category and receives 100,000 votes, 35,000 votes will be deducted, and the calculation will be based on 65,000 votes. Currently, there are 18 incumbent lawmakers in the People Power Party who fall into the 'bottom 10% exceeded and bottom 30% or below' category.

This People Power Party primary favors young political newcomers. Candidates aged 34 or younger receive up to a 20% increase in their vote share. Candidates aged 35 to 44 can receive up to a 15% increase. For example, a preliminary candidate aged 34 or younger who receives 60,000 votes in the primary will have their votes calculated as 72,000, allowing them to surpass a third-term lawmaker in the same district who received 100,000 votes but falls into the 'bottom 10% exceeded and bottom 30% or below' category. Additionally, candidates in their 20s receive full coverage of primary expenses, and candidates in their 30s receive a 50% discount, among other benefits.

Park Sung-joong, a member of the People Power Party, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the launch ceremony of the Carbon Neutral K-Tech Forum held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The areas where incumbent turnover is expected to mainly occur are Seoul Gangnam and the Yeongnam region. Among incumbent lawmakers, third-term Park Sung-joong (Seoul Seocho-eul), second-term Ryu Seong-geol (Daegu Dong-gu-gap), and first-term Yoo Kyung-jun (Seoul Gangnam-byeong), Yang Geum-hee (Daegu Buk-gu-gap), Hong Seok-jun (Daegu Dalseo-gap), Kim Young-sik (Gyeongbuk Gumi-eul), Park Hyung-soo (Gyeongbuk Yeongju·Yeongyang·Bonghwa·Uljin), Yoon Doo-hyun (Gyeongbuk Gyeongsan), and Kim Hyung-dong (Gyeongbuk Andong·Yecheon) have not finalized their primary methods.

When asked whether nominations in Gangnam and the Yeongnam region could become a flashpoint, Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, replied, "The more winnable the seat, the more fairly and systematically we will conduct the nomination." He added, "While preparing for this nomination, I pledged to make the party's cause appear much greater than individual desires or interests."