Results to Be Announced at 6:30 p.m.
Kim Moonsu, Hong Junpyo, and Han Donghoon Likely to Advance
Na Kyungwon and Ahn Cheolsoo Face Off Until the End
The People Power Party Election Management Committee will announce the four presidential candidates advancing to the second primary at around 6:30 p.m. on April 22. While Kim Moonsu, Hong Junpyo, and Han Donghoon are considered likely to advance, attention is focused on whether the remaining spot will go to Na Kyungwon or Ahn Cheolsoo.
Candidates attending the "People Power Party 1st Primary Presidential Candidate Vision Conference" held on the 18th at ASSA Art Hall in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, are taking a commemorative photo with the party leadership. From the left: Lee Yangsoo, Secretary General; Kwon Seongdong, Floor Leader; Yoo Jungbok; Hong Junpyo; Kim Moonsu; Ahn Cheolsoo; Yang Hyangja; Na Kyungwon; Lee Cheolwoo; Han Donghoon, candidates; Kwon Youngse, Emergency Committee Chairman; Hwang Wooye, Election Management Committee Chairman. April 18, 2025 Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
According to the People Power Party, the candidates advancing to the second primary will be selected through a 100% public opinion poll conducted from the previous day until today. Five polling agencies each surveyed 800 members of the general public, for a total sample of 4,000 people, and the average of the results will be used.
Among the candidates Kim Moonsu, Na Kyungwon, Ahn Cheolsoo, Yang Hyangja, Yoo Jungbok, Lee Cheolwoo, Han Donghoon, and Hong Junpyo, the top four will advance to the second primary. Based on the results of various opinion polls so far, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsu, former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo, and former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon are expected to remain in the leading positions.
The remaining spot is likely to be taken by either Representative Na Kyungwon or Representative Ahn Cheolsoo.
On this day, Representative Ahn wrote on his social networking service (SNS) Facebook targeting the "anti-impeachment" (Bantan) faction, stating, "Your political actions, your denial of constitutional order and the rule of law, and your betrayal of the people will be recorded in history as they are," and added, "You will never be able to defeat Lee Jaemyung."
Regarding Representative Na's direct criticism the previous day, in which she said, "Stop being a cuckoo laying eggs in someone else's nest and leave the party," Ahn responded, "Someone called me a cuckoo," and emphasized, "If that's what you call a change of government, that's fine. If I can stop Lee Jaemyung, I am willing to become anything."
On the same day, Representative Na also posted on Facebook, stating, "I express deep concern about candidate Ahn's pro-impeachment (Chantan) rhetoric and divisive tactics, which disparage the hearts of the people who tried to protect the freedom and rule of law of the Republic of Korea."
If Representative Na passes the first primary, the People Power Party primary will be structured as three anti-impeachment (Bantan) candidates (Kim Moonsu, Hong Junpyo, Na Kyungwon) versus one pro-impeachment (Chantan) candidate (Han Donghoon). The anti-impeachment candidates are expected to focus their checks on former leader Han.
Previously, at the People Power Party's first primary debate held on April 20, former Mayor Hong Junpyo targeted former leader Han Donghoon with personal attacks, such as asking, "Why do you wear elevator shoes?" and "Do you wear shapewear?"
However, in this case, there are predictions that anti-impeachment votes may be split in the second primary, making it advantageous for Han Donghoon, the only pro-impeachment candidate.
People Power Party presidential primary candidate Na Kyungwon is holding a press conference at the Daegu Metropolitan Council meeting room in Jung-gu, Daegu on the 21st. Photo by Yonhap News
On the other hand, if Representative Ahn advances to the top four, the primary will be balanced with two anti-impeachment and two pro-impeachment candidates. The candidate who is eliminated between Na Kyungwon and Ahn Cheolsoo is expected to suffer a significant political blow.
During the first primary opinion poll period, Representative Na continued her regional campaign activities, including visiting Daegu, known as the "heart of conservatism." On this day, she was also scheduled to visit Busan and Ulsan, but the trip was canceled due to her flight returning because of bad weather.
The top four candidates announced today will undergo a second cutoff, which will be determined by a combination of 50% public opinion poll and 50% party member vote, and on April 29, the field will be narrowed to two candidates. If a candidate receives a majority of the votes at that time, a runoff will not be held.
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