People Power Party Begins Forming Emergency Committee for Party Convention... Leadership Race Heats Up

Song Eonseok Likely to Serve as Both Floor Leader and Emergency Committee Chair
Kim Moonsu, Han Donghoon, and Ahn Cheolsoo Engaged in Behind-the-Scenes Rivalry

The People Power Party has begun preparations to form its next Emergency Response Committee. Once a caretaker emergency committee is established to oversee preparations for the party convention, which is likely to be held in August, the competition for party leadership is expected to intensify.

On June 27, the People Power Party will hold a Standing National Committee meeting to approve the agenda for convening the National Committee on July 1. At the National Committee, the party plans to approve the establishment of the emergency committee and appoint its chairperson.

Yonhap News

With the term of Emergency Committee Chair Kim Yongtae ending on June 30, the party leadership will face a vacancy, prompting the party to move quickly to form a new leadership team. After the defeat in the June 3 presidential election, all emergency committee members, including Kim Sanghoon, Lim Ija, Choi Boyoon, and Choi Hyungdoo, resigned.

The new emergency committee is expected to function as a 'caretaker committee' for the party convention, which is likely to be held in August. Since its role will be limited and its duration short, it is highly likely that Floor Leader Song Eonseok will concurrently serve as the emergency committee chair. Song said on this day, "There are opinions that time is tight and it is not easy to find someone to take on the chair position," adding, "I will make a decision after considering all factors."

If a caretaker emergency committee is established, the competition for party leadership is expected to enter full swing. Former presidential candidate Kim Moonsu, former leader Han Donghoon, lawmaker Na Kyungwon, and lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo are being mentioned as strong contenders. There is also speculation that Kim, the outgoing emergency committee chair, may run for party leader to push through his reform agenda.

The most active contender is lawmaker Ahn. After visiting Daegu and Busan, he plans to conduct a public sentiment tour in Incheon, Chungcheong, Gangwon, and Honam through early July. On June 20, former candidate Kim held a private dinner with about 40 current and former lawmakers, and on this day, he is scheduled to meet with young people who worked on his presidential campaign. Lawmaker Na is raising her profile by speaking out on key issues inside and outside the party, while former leader Han is communicating with supporters through YouTube live broadcasts. It is known that even within the pro-Han (pro-Han Donghoon) faction, there are differing opinions about whether to run in the party convention. An opposition party official commented, "Since the presidential defeat, the party has failed to take any remedial action, so it needs to expedite the formation of a new leadership team," but added, "For now, it seems likely to be a rematch of the presidential primary, so it is difficult to expect major changes."