Song Eonseok, Lee Heonseung, and Kim Seongwon in a Three-Way Race
Direction of Reform Hinges on Election Results
The election for the floor leader of the People Power Party will be a three-way race on June 16, with lawmakers Song Eonseok, Lee Heonseung, and Kim Seongwon (listed in order of ballot number) competing for the position. The late entry of Lee has disrupted the regional and factional dynamics, making it difficult to predict the outcome. As the next floor leader will influence both the party’s leadership structure and the direction of its reform efforts, there is significant attention on the results.
The People Power Party will hold a general assembly of lawmakers at 2 p.m. on this day to elect the new floor leader. After a joint debate and policy presentations by the candidates, voting will commence immediately. If no candidate secures a majority in the first round, a runoff will be held between the top two candidates.
Regionally, Song Eonseok (Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang), Lee Heonseung (Busanjin-eul, Busan), and Kim Seongwon (Dongducheon-Yangju-Yeoncheon-eul, Gyeonggi) have formed a Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) versus Busan-Gyeongnam (PK) versus Seoul metropolitan area structure. Initially, when a two-way race between Song and Kim was expected, Song was considered the favorite. Lawmakers from the Yeongnam region constitute more than half of the People Power Party’s seats. With Lee joining the race, there are predictions that Yeongnam votes will be split between TK and PK. There are 33 lawmakers from TK, 25 from PK, and 19 based in the Seoul metropolitan area.
Factional dynamics are also a variable. While all three candidates are considered to have relatively weak factional affiliations, it is reported that the pro-Yoon (supporters of Yoon Suk Yeol) mainstream is quietly backing Song, while the pro-Han (supporters of Han Donghoon) faction is supporting Kim. Analysts note that the outcome could change depending on how the factions consolidate their support.
The new floor leader will be elected amid severe turmoil over the reform proposals of interim leader Kim Yongtae, making it a priority to first mend internal divisions. The new leader must also reach a reasonable conclusion?acceptable to a majority of lawmakers?regarding Kim’s future, as well as whether and when to hold a party convention. A People Power Party lawmaker from the Seoul metropolitan area commented, "With so many difficult tasks ahead, such as party reform and the local elections, I believe many lawmakers will wait until after the policy presentations and debate before making their decision."
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