Kim Kwangjin: "People Power Party's Daegu Mayoral Nomination Likely to Be a Contest Between Jeon Hangil and Lee Jinsook"

Prospects Emerge After Jang Donghyuk Is Elected as People Power Party Leader
"Chose Jeon Hangil Over Han Donghoon Without Hesitation"
"Ahn Cheolsoo Faction May Leave to Form 'New People Party'"

There are predictions that Lee Jinsuk, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, and Jeon Hangil, a former Korean history lecturer, may compete for the People Power Party nomination for Daegu Mayor in next year's local elections. Kim Kwangjin, former Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy of Gwangju Metropolitan City and a former member of the 19th National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea (who also served as Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs under the Moon Jaein administration), made this claim on his social media account on the 26th, stating, "Jang Donghyuk has been elected as the new representative of the People Power Party."

Kim Kwangjin, former member of the 19th National Assembly from the Democratic Party of Korea and former Deputy Mayor for Culture and Economy of Gwangju Metropolitan City. Facebook

Former Deputy Mayor Kim said, "Going beyond 'Yoon Again,' the party members of the People Power Party have chosen the 'Yoon Nomination Committee.' Since the new representative is someone who, when asked whether to nominate Jeon Hangil or Han Donghoon for the local elections, chose Jeon Hangil without hesitation, it is clear which direction the party will take. Now, the question is who will receive the nomination for Daegu Mayor next year-Lee Jinsuk or Jeon Hangil."

Regarding Assemblyman Ahn Cheolsoo, who lost in the party leadership election, Kim said, "The Ahn Cheolsoo faction does not find it difficult to switch parties or form a new party. They will likely stage a mass defection and create the 'New People Party' in an attempt to win back votes from the Honam region." As for former representative Han Donghoon, Kim stated, "Han Donghoon, who gave up party leadership and hoped to enter Yeouido through a by-election, now finds himself unable to take either path. We will have to wait and see what choice he makes."

In Jeon Hangil's case, he has previously stated several times that he does not intend to run for elected office. However, with Jang Donghyuk's election as party leader, there are expectations that Jeon's influence within the party will grow, including the possibility of him becoming a Supreme Council member. In response, Jang Donghyuk said, "I have not yet considered appointing a Supreme Council member, and any party positions will be decided in consultation with everyone."

Lee Jinsuk, Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, is attending the full meeting of the Science, Technology, Information and Broadcasting Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Chairperson Lee Jinsuk previously ran as a preliminary candidate for Daegu Mayor in 2022. She is the only appointee from the Yoon Sukyeol administration who remains in her position with her term still remaining. Her attendance at cabinet meetings as an observer and her vocal stance on state affairs, sometimes expressing dissent toward President Lee Jaemyung, have been interpreted as moves with an eye on a future run for Daegu Mayor.

Earlier, Assemblywoman Lee Haemin of the Rebuilding Korea Party, who is a member of the National Assembly's Broadcasting and Communications Committee, commented, "There are rumors that Chairperson Lee is deliberately clashing with the new president because she dreams of becoming Daegu Mayor. The position of Chairperson is not meant for her to campaign for the Daegu mayoral election." However, if the amendment to the Broadcasting and Communications Commission Act currently being pursued by the Democratic Party passes, Chairperson Lee's position will be immediately terminated.