People Power Party Hesitates Ahead of National Recommendation System Announcement... Generation Change Also 'Not Sure'

The People Power Party is experiencing difficulties as it has yet to decide on the method and regions for the upcoming announcement of the National Recommendation System. Although they aimed to create momentum by fielding well-known young and female candidates, both the scale and purpose appear to be retreating.

Jeong Young-hwan, Chairman of the People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee, is announcing the results of the 14th meeting on the 29th at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The People Power Party’s Nomination Management Committee is scheduled to announce the target regions and method for the National Recommendation System on the afternoon of the 5th. Jang Dong-hyuk, Secretary General of the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly on the same day, "We plan to reach a broad conclusion on the National Recommendation System today." Unlike the usual nomination process where party members apply as preliminary candidates and compete in primaries, the National Recommendation System allows the general public to apply and select candidates for the general election through an audition-style process.

However, there are internal disagreements within the Nomination Management Committee regarding the National Recommendation System. On the previous afternoon at the Yeouido party headquarters, Jung Young-hwan, Chair of the Nomination Management Committee, said, "It seems that a maximum of two to three regions will be designated for the National Recommendation System," adding, "Important areas in the Yeongnam region should be included." But Secretary General Jang said, "There are differences of opinion regarding both the format and scope." Despite the possibility of including the Yeongnam region, Jang responded, "We will discuss it. No separate conclusion was reached yesterday." Fierce debates are ongoing internally. Chair Jung said, "There is intense debate," and Secretary General Jang also did not deny it, saying, "There have been many discussions."

The People Power Party began considering the National Recommendation System at the end of last month as no suitable candidates emerged in strongholds such as Gangnam and the Yeongnam region. The process was carried out with the expectation that fresh figures, though not party members, could apply for nominations and create momentum. However, if good candidates do not apply, the likelihood of failure increases, and preliminary candidates in the respective constituencies may oppose it, so the Nomination Management Committee appears to be approaching the matter cautiously. Chair Jung said, "There is little time, and if we expand it too much, we might waste unnecessary effort," adding, "It seems likely to be a compromise model, conducted as simply and compactly as possible." The compromise National Recommendation System mentioned by Chair Jung is analyzed to be a method that conducts primaries through opinion polls or similar processes as quickly and simply as possible.

The plan to recruit young and female candidates through the National Recommendation System is also expected to become more difficult. The People Power Party had intended to fill the shortage of young and female candidates in the nomination process through the National Recommendation System and proportional representation, but it appears to be gradually retreating. Secretary General Jang said, "It is realistically difficult to fill all positions through the National Recommendation System with young and female candidates," adding, "We do not know how many capable people will be recommended, and if we designate certain regions exclusively for young or female candidates, candidates who do not meet the public’s expectations may be selected."