'Semifinalists Decided Over the Weekend'... People Power Party Holds Vision Conference and Debate Series

Presentation of Policy Visions at Vision Conference on the 18th
Debates on Youth Future and Social Integration on the 19th and 20th
Na Kyungwon, Lee Cheolwoo, Hong Junpyo, Han Donghoon
Focus on the "Group of Death" Debate

The People Power Party will consecutively hold a vision conference and group debate sessions from the 18th to the 20th. Since the first round of voting will take place immediately on the 21st and 22nd, this weekend is expected to be the decisive battleground to determine the final four. Various polls show former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, and former Daegu Mayor Hong Jun-pyo as the top three contenders plus alpha (α), drawing attention to whether the other five candidates can overturn public opinion over the weekend.

On the 18th at 2 p.m., the People Power Party will hold the '21st Presidential Candidate Vision Conference' at the ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Eight presidential primary candidates (in alphabetical order)?former Minister Kim Moon-soo, Representative Na Kyung-won, Representative Ahn Cheol-soo, former Representative Yang Hyang-ja, Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok of Incheon, Governor Lee Cheol-woo of Gyeongbuk, former leader Han Dong-hoon, and former Mayor Hong Jun-pyo?will each present their views for 10 minutes on the theme of 'Korea's Leap Forward and Future Vision,' including a 30-second promotional video. The presentation order, determined by a prior draw, is Mayor Yoo, former Mayor Hong, former Minister Kim, Representative Ahn, former Representative Yang, Representative Na, former Governor Lee, and former leader Han.

The 1st primary debate media day for the 21st presidential candidate of the People Power Party was held on the 17th at the Yeouido Central Party Office in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. The primary candidates are holding placards and taking a commemorative photo. From the front row, left to right: Hong Jun-pyo, former Mayor of Daegu; Yoo Jeong-bok, Mayor of Incheon; Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongbuk Province; Kim Moon-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor. From the back row, left to right: Yang Hyang-ja, former member of the National Assembly; Ahn Cheol-soo, member of the National Assembly; Na Kyung-won, member of the National Assembly; Han Dong-hoon, former party leader. 2025.4.17 Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

The main battlefield is expected to be the group debate sessions held over two days on the 19th and 20th. At the first media day held the previous day, Group A (19th) was decided to include Yoo Jeong-bok, Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Moon-soo, and Yang Hyang-ja, while Group B (20th) will consist of Lee Cheol-woo, Na Kyung-won, Hong Jun-pyo, and Han Dong-hoon. Group A will debate on the theme of youth and the future, while Group B is set to clash over social integration.

In Group A's debate, Representatives Ahn and former Representative Yang, both with backgrounds in science and technology, are expected to discuss projects for Korea's leap as a global leader in future industries such as artificial intelligence (AI). Former Minister Kim, who recently served as Minister of Employment and Labor, will likely focus on job policies through employment flexibility and deregulation of businesses. Mayor Yoo is expected to propose youth population inflow projects suitable for the local era based on science and technology hubs and job creation. Additionally, plans to reduce real estate burdens through public housing supply and reconstruction and redevelopment projects are also anticipated to be discussed.

Particularly, attention is focused on Group B, dubbed the "group of death," which includes Representative Na, Governor Lee, former leader Han, and former Mayor Hong. These candidates have clashed strongly during the emergency martial law and impeachment phases involving former President Yoon Seok-youl. Therefore, a dynamic is likely to form between Han, who supports impeachment (pro-impeachment), and Hong, Na, and Mayor Yoo, who oppose impeachment (anti-impeachment).

They are also expected to engage in heated debates on strategies to defeat Lee Jae-myung, the current leading presidential contender and former leader of the Democratic Party, as well as on how to position themselves in relation to former President Yoon. Candidates such as Representative Na and former Mayor Hong, who previously opposed or expressed negative views on impeachment, have publicly mentioned distancing themselves from former President Yoon to appeal to moderate voters. Since the first round of voting will be conducted 100% through public debates, it is interpreted that not only People Power Party supporters but also independents' sentiments cannot be ignored. At the media day held the previous day, Representative Na stated, "Yoonism should not dominate the presidential election," and former Mayor Hong also pointed out, "The country is truly in turmoil. It is the responsibility of our Yoon Seok-youl administration."