"Gap Between Party and Public Sentiment... Need to Increase Proportion of Public Opinion Polls"
Party Leadership Contenders Divided; Skepticism Over Leadership Acceptance
The Innovation Committee of the People Power Party has proposed a change to the party convention rules as one of its reform measures. The proposal seeks to increase the weight of public opinion in the party leader selection process from the current 20% to as much as 100%, shifting away from the existing 80:20 ratio between party members' votes and public opinion polls. While there are divided opinions among party leadership contenders, the prevailing view is that the party leadership, which holds the decision-making authority, is unlikely to accept the proposal.
On July 18, Yoon Heesook, chair of the Innovation Committee, stated in a phone interview, "We have suggested that the proportion of public opinion polls, which include a clause to prevent strategic voting, should be increased to narrow the gap between the party and the general public in the party leader selection process."
According to the People Power Party's constitution and regulations, the party leader is currently chosen based on an 80:20 ratio of party member votes to public opinion polls. Yoon's position is to leave open the possibility of increasing the public opinion poll proportion to 100%, and to ask the Emergency Response Committee to determine the specific ratio.
Yoon explained, "There is a growing mechanism in which those running for party leader are becoming increasingly disconnected from public sentiment," adding, "It is not desirable for the party's future for such candidates to pursue strategies that appeal only to the hardline base."
The leading contenders for party leadership include former presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo, as well as lawmakers Na Kyungwon, Ahn Cheolsoo, Jang Donghyuk, and Cho Kyungtae. Kim, who was chosen by party members in the last presidential primary, belongs to the anti-impeachment faction. Na and Jang are also part of the mainstream faction that has publicly opposed apologizing for the martial law and impeachment incidents. In addition, Jeon Hangil, a Korean history lecturer who has advocated for the "Yoon Again" movement and election fraud theories, has announced his intention to influence the party leader selection process after joining the party. There are growing concerns that these candidates are relying solely on the hardline party base to maintain an advantageous position in the leadership race.
There are differing opinions on changing the convention rules. Ahn Cheolsoo, who has officially declared his candidacy for party leader, stated on social media that "the Innovation Committee chair's reform intentions deserve full respect," and expressed his support, saying, "We should look to public sentiment, not the intentions of Yoon (referring to former President Yoon Suk-yeol) or Jeon (referring to Jeon Hangil)." A staff member from Ahn's office added, "If the party wants to get closer to moderates, metropolitan voters, and young people, it needs to increase the weight of public opinion in the selection of the party leader, who is a nationwide candidate."
Cho Kyungtae, another declared candidate, also said in a phone interview, "The party's approval rating remains in the 10% range, and it is becoming increasingly disconnected from public sentiment by allowing those who defended former President Yoon to join," emphasizing, "It would be true reform to select the party leader through a national primary." He argued that, if the leadership decides, the new rules could be applied starting with this convention.
There are also strong negative opinions. In particular, Kim Moonsoo, who has recently focused on appealing to party members in Daegu and North Gyeongsang, is expected to strongly oppose the change. One close associate commented, "Since party members pay dues, they should have the right to elect the party leader. Raising the proportion of public opinion above that of party members does not align with party democracy."
Separately, there are already skeptical views about whether the leadership will accept the rule change. Since changing the convention rules requires amending the party constitution and regulations, a resolution by the Emergency Response Committee is necessary. However, there has already been internal strife after Yoon Heesook called for personnel reforms targeting Emergency Response Committee Chair Song, as well as lawmakers Na Kyungwon, Yoon Sanghyun, and Jang Donghyuk. While Song and others have downplayed Yoon's comments as personal opinions, Yoon has openly expressed dissatisfaction, describing the leadership's response as "daguri" (slang for group criticism). A People Power Party official said, "We will have to gather opinions at the weekend caucus, but it seems the leadership and the Innovation Committee have already crossed the Rubicon. If the leadership intends to hold the convention at the end of August, it will realistically be difficult to change the rules."
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