Slogan: "A Primary Created by People in Their 20s, Running Together with the Public"
Yoo Seungmin Criticizes Reverse Voting Prevention Clause as 'Fraud' in National Vote
Lee Yangsu: "It Is Stipulated in the Party's Constitution and Regulations"
Unique Debates Planned, Including MBTI and Heart Rate Measurements
On the 11th, the People Power Party stated that Han Duck-soo, the Acting President and Prime Minister, who is being discussed as a potential presidential candidate, can participate in the party's primary if he registers as a member and files his candidacy before the registration deadline. However, regarding speculation that he might run as an independent candidate and later unify with the People Power Party's presidential candidate, the party drew a clear line, saying, "That decision belongs to the presidential candidate."
Lee Yang-su, Secretary-General of the People Power Party and Chair of the Election Management Committee, said during a press meeting at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, after the second meeting of the Election Management Committee, "The candidate registration period is from the 14th to the 15th. If the membership application and candidate registration documents are submitted before the deadline, it is possible."
Regarding the prospect that Acting President Han might run as an independent and later unify with the final People Power Party presidential candidate, Lee said, "We will hold a fierce primary to select our party's candidate. Once the presidential candidate is elected through the primary, the candidate holds the authority of the party leader, so that decision is up to the candidate," refraining from speculation.
When a reporter asked, "Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, positively evaluated Han Duck-soo's potential candidacy today. Was there consensus with the party leadership?" Lee replied, "The party leadership likely desires excellent individuals to participate in our party's primary and produce a strong candidate through intense competition. I think that is the context of the remarks made."
Regarding former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min's criticism that introducing a 100% public participation primary in the first round with a clause to prevent reverse voting was a 'public fraud,' Lee responded, "The reverse voting prevention clause is stipulated in the party's constitution and regulations. We considered and discussed changing it, but physically there was not enough time."
He continued, "It seems the Democratic Party is not adopting a public participation primary. Our party is boldly introducing it. Originally, party members would select their own candidate, but the fact that we made the first round a 100% public participation primary itself indicates that we take public opinion very seriously," he emphasized.
Lee also explained the clause requiring party members to have paid membership fees at least once between April 12 last year and today to be eligible to vote, saying, "Regular payments must be made to financial institutions by April 10. The deadline for account applications and modifications is April 4, and payments via mobile phone or credit card are possible until April 9. Those who pay today or tomorrow will not be eligible." This appears to be a measure to prevent groups aiming for reverse voting from infiltrating the People Power Party disguised as members until the finalized primary rules are implemented.
On the same day, the People Power Party decided on the format for the presidential debates. From the 18th to the 20th of this month, groups A, B, and C will each hold group debates. After the preliminary primary narrows the candidates down to four, one-on-one debates will be held on the 24th and 25th, followed by a four-person joint debate on the 26th. After the second primary on the 29th narrows the final candidates to two, a head-to-head debate will be held on the 30th.
To boost interest in the primary, the People Power Party incorporated entertainment elements into the debates and media day reflecting the opinions of young people in their 20s. Candidates will have time to introduce themselves using MBTI or balance games. There will be speed quizzes involving candidates and their aides, as well as AI-generated introductions of malicious comments. Other segments include praising other candidates and quantifying tension between candidates using heart rate measurements.
Lee and Kim Chae-su, Chair of the People Power Party Central Student Committee who helped organize the debates, responded to criticism that the primary might become too lighthearted by saying, "I think it can serve a positive function by showing warm, human aspects. We have also prepared segments with more gravity to avoid trivialization, so please watch with interest."
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