Ahn Cheolsoo Resigns as Innovation Committee Chair to Run for Party Leader
Cho Kyungtae Announces Candidacy... Kim Moonsoo Also Signals Intention to Run
Han Donghoon, Na Kyungwon, Jang Donghyuk Among Potential Candidates
As the People Power Party's national convention, expected to take place in mid-August, approaches, the competitive landscape is beginning to take shape. Following Representative Cho Kyungtae, the party's most senior lawmaker, Ahn Cheolsoo, the party's Innovation Committee chair, has also declared his candidacy, and former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo has effectively signaled his intention to run as well.
On July 7, Representative Ahn held a press conference at the National Assembly to officially announce his bid for party leader. Ahn stated, "I discussed the emergency committee chairmanship and personnel reforms, but we could not reach an agreement. If that is the case, I will wield the scalpel myself, not just the forceps." By stepping down as Innovation Committee chair, Ahn is signaling his intention to directly lead the party's reform as its leader. He emphasized, "I will personally pursue decisive and powerful reforms. I will save the party, stop the reckless actions of the Lee Jaemyung administration, ensure a successful local election next year, and lay the groundwork for the next general election."
Representative Cho also stated in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the same day, "If things continue as they are, the party will face demands for dissolution," and added, "I decided to run in the national convention out of a desperate sense that the party needs reforms at the level of dissolution." Cho presented six key reform agendas: a complete revision of the party constitution and regulations; establishment of a personnel reform committee; innovation in candidate nominations; party management suited to the digital and artificial intelligence (AI) era; expansion of the party's base among young and centrist voters; and enhanced communication with the public.
Outside the National Assembly, Jang Sungmin, former Director of Future Strategy Planning at the Presidential Office, has solidified his intention to run. On social media, Jang stated, "The country is facing a crisis under the Lee Jaemyung administration," and added, "I am determined to be a grain of wheat that saves the party and the nation."
Kim Moonsoo, a leading contender for party leadership, is actively engaged in behind-the-scenes activities. After meeting with regional party association chairs from Gyeonggi Province last week, he is also planning a private luncheon with party association chairs from Seoul in the near future. On July 4, he met with Song Eonseok, the People Power Party's emergency committee chair and floor leader, at the National Assembly, and at a recent forum, he effectively hinted at his candidacy by stating, "I will fight against President Lee Jaemyung." Kim's camp stated, "He will begin public activities once the schedule for the national convention is finalized."
Han Donghoon, former People Power Party leader and another leading contender, is reportedly still deliberating his decision. He has been increasing his engagement with party members by consistently delivering critical messages toward the government and ruling party via social media and YouTube. A first-term lawmaker aligned with Han said, "Even within Han's faction, opinions are divided on whether he should run for party leader, and it appears Han himself has not yet made a decision."
Other potential candidates include lawmakers Na Kyungwon and Jang Donghyuk. Na has made her presence felt by staging an overnight sit-in demanding the withdrawal of Prime Minister nominee Kim Minseok's appointment. If Kim Moonsoo, Han Donghoon, and Na Kyungwon all decide to run, it is expected to become a 'return match' among the 6·3 presidential primary candidates. An opposition party official commented, "We must humbly accept both internal and external criticism that no new faces are emerging," and added, "Whoever emerges must be a suitable candidate capable of reforming the party."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
