Handonghun, Leaving the Organization Chart? Possibility of Alliance Between Na Kyung-won and Won Hee-ryong Emerges

People Power Party Election Commission to Discuss Article 34 of Party Rules
Hwang Woo-yeo Urges "Absolute Neutrality and Strictness"
Na Says "Too Early", Won Says "Sacrifice Is Open"
Temperature Differences Between Two Candidates on Unification

The early phase of the People Power Party (PPP) leadership election is generally analyzed in political circles as a race with former PPP Emergency Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon as the clear frontrunner, a dual middle tier consisting of Representative Na Kyung-won and former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, and Representative Yoon Sang-hyun as the underdog. Amid this, changes are emerging, such as some defections from Han’s camp and the possibility of a unification between Na and Won being raised.

On the 27th, the PPP Election Management Committee planned to discuss Article 34 of the party regulations, which prohibits members of the National Assembly and party district chiefs who are not candidates from campaigning during the election for party leader and supreme council members. This review came after numerous incumbent lawmakers expressed their intention to support Han, raising concerns about violations of party rules. Consequently, it is expected that Han’s camp will not be able to publicly expand its organization further.

On the same day, Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Committee Chairman, urged at a meeting held at the National Assembly, "Not only the Emergency Committee but all related bodies, including the Election Management Committee, must maintain absolute neutrality and strictly enforce the party constitution and regulations." Representative Joo Jin-woo, who was known to be participating in Han’s campaign, decided not to dispatch any aides. In a phone call on the 27th, Joo stated, "I have not sent any aides to the campaign, and the same applies to other candidates."

Former Emergency Response Committee member and People Power Party leadership candidate Han Dong-hoon is greeting the staff of People Power Party members' offices at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

In particular, Han’s stance that he must accept the 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act' is evaluated to have negatively affected his appeal to the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) party base. In the TK region, only Representative Kim Hyung-dong, who served as secretary to the Emergency Committee Chairman, and Representative Woo Jae-joon, who entered the 22nd National Assembly through a public recommendation system, openly supported Han. Former Representative Kim Jae-won, who is running for supreme council member, said on SBS Radio that regarding the 'Chae Sang-byeong Special Prosecutor Act,' "From an election strategy perspective, I think it was necessary first to reassure party members and supporters who are worried and concerned," adding, "There is a possibility that Han’s support could fall below 50% in party support polls, which would concretize a runoff election, and then his support rate could drop further."

Inside and outside the party, the possibility of unification between Representative Na and former Minister Won is also being raised. Although it seems premature now, it is expected to materialize by mid-July. Looking back at the 2021 PPP leadership election results, where Lee Jun-seok was elected party leader, the final vote shares were Lee Jun-seok (43.8%), Na Kyung-won (37.1%), and Joo Ho-young (14.0%). It was interpreted that if Na and Joo had unified, the outcome could have been different. This suggests that changes in the party leadership race dynamics could alter the result.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The candidates involved are still cautious in their remarks, but former Minister Won is somewhat more proactive. In a KBS Radio interview on the same day, Representative Na said, "I think it’s too early to talk about any alliance or unification before even starting," adding, "It’s premature to discuss such things." On the other hand, former Minister Won hinted at the possibility of an alliance on CBS Radio, saying, "To fulfill the ruling party’s responsibilities, I am open to any path, even if it means sacrificing myself." A ruling party official said, "If the two candidates have a fair primary, won’t they accept the result?" adding, "There needs to be a plan for the losing candidate to exit the race smoothly so that neither side gets hurt."