People Power Party Decides Against Allowing Running Mate System at Convention... "Break from Factional Politics"

Credentials Including Specific Individuals' Names Prohibited
Four-Way Televised Debates to Be Held Three Times Next Month

The People Power Party has decided not to allow the 'running mate system,' in which candidates for party leader and Supreme Council member run together, at the 8·22 party convention.

Lee Sanghwi, who chairs the party convention preparation subcommittee, told reporters after the fourth election committee meeting on the 28th, "In accordance with Article 88-3 of the party constitution, which prohibits factionalism, we have decided not to allow the running mate system, as it could undermine autonomous competition among party members and restrict their right to choose."

Yonhap News

Lee added, "We agreed that outdated practices such as political line-ups or factional politics, which ignore the diversity and openness of candidates, are fundamentally at odds with the essence of this primary and must be completely abandoned."

Candidates are also prohibited from listing credentials that include the name of a specific individual. Lee explained, "For example, stating that someone was the head of the 21st presidential election campaign committee is acceptable. However, mentioning that they served as a special advisor to candidate Kim Moonsoo or did something for candidate Han Donghoon, or any credential that includes a specific individual's name, is not allowed."

The slogan for the 6th party convention, scheduled for August 22, has been set as 'Back to the People.' Lee commented, "The purpose of a political party's activities is to ensure the safety and welfare of the people, but reflecting on our defeat in the presidential election and various internal conflicts, there is a self-critical tone suggesting we may not have done our utmost for the people."

The four-way televised debate among party leader candidates will take place on August 10, 17, and 19. If no candidate secures a majority in the convention, a runoff debate will be held again on August 23.

Meanwhile, applications for party convention candidacy will be accepted from July 30 to 31. The main primary will be held over two days, August 20 and 21. As of 16:00 on July 28, seven individuals have declared their intention to run: former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo, former Presidential Office Director of Future Strategy Planning Jang Sungmin, Ahn Cheolsoo, Jang Donghyuk, Cho Kyungtae, Joo Jinwoo, and former lawmaker Yang Hyangja.