People Power Party Confirms 8 Candidates for First Presidential Primary... 3 Eliminated

Candidate Vision Contest to Be Held on the 18th
Group Debates Scheduled for the 19th and 20th
Announcement of Primary Finalists on the 22nd

The People Power Party announced on the 16th the 8 candidates who advanced to the first round of the June 3 presidential primary.

Hwang Woo-yeo, the party's election commissioner, announced the list of first-round primary candidates to reporters after the meeting. The candidates are former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, People Power Party lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo, former lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo, former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, and former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo (in alphabetical order).

Commissioner Hwang said, "We carefully reviewed the applicants' competitiveness and suitability to ensure they possess qualities that meet the public's expectations," adding, "We ask the candidates advancing to the first round to do their best so that this primary process can become a festival for selecting the people's candidate."

People Power Party spokesperson Ho Joon-seok explained regarding the elimination of 3 out of the 11 registered candidates, "We made a comprehensive judgment based on public opinion, party member recognition, and public office experience."

The party's election commission emphasized neutral and fair election management as well as unity amid competition among candidates.

Commissioner Hwang stressed, "(The election commission) holds harmony and unity as the highest values," adding, "For us to ultimately receive the people's choice, all candidates must come together, help each other, and unite."

The candidates advancing to the first round will draw lots for debate groups during a media day on the 17th. On the 18th, a candidate vision contest will be held, followed by group debates on the 19th and 20th. Subsequently, four candidates will be selected to advance to the second round through a 100% public opinion poll, with the announcement scheduled for the 22nd.