People Power Party Metropolitan Leaders Gather: "Next Year's Local Elections, the Last Line of Defense"

Eleven People Power Party Metropolitan Leaders Gather to Discuss Election Strategy

On November 12, the leadership of the People Power Party and eleven affiliated metropolitan government heads gathered in one place. The meeting was held to refine their victory strategy ahead of next year's local elections. Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, emphasized, "Next year's local elections are the last line of defense to prevent the dictatorship of the Lee Jaemyung administration."

People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk, Na Kyungwon, Head of the Local Election Planning Unit, and Oh Sehoon, Mayor of Seoul, along with other metropolitan local government heads, are taking a commemorative photo at the "Local Election Planning Unit-Metropolitan and Provincial Governors Joint Meeting" held on the 12th at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

During a joint meeting between the Local Election Planning Unit and metropolitan and provincial governors at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of November 12, Jang stated, "Looking at the current political situation, we are reminded once again of how important victory in next year's local elections is," and urged, "Please pool your wisdom on how we can achieve victory in the local elections."

Attendees at the meeting included Oh Sehoon, Mayor of Seoul; Park Hyungjoon, Mayor of Busan; Yoo Jeongbok, Mayor of Incheon; Lee Jangwoo, Mayor of Daejeon; Kim Dookyum, Mayor of Ulsan; Choi Minho, Mayor of Sejong; Park Wansu, Governor of South Gyeongsang Province; Lee Cheolwoo, Governor of North Gyeongsang Province; Kim Taeheum, Governor of South Chungcheong Province; Kim Younghwan, Governor of North Chungcheong Province; and Kim Jintae, Governor of Gangwon Province.

Jang also commented on the recent decision by the prosecution to drop its appeal in the Daejang-dong case, stating, "This is an abandonment of appeal for the President, by Justice Minister Jeong Seongho, and by Acting Prosecutor General Noh Manseok," adding, "If there are exceptions before the law, that is dictatorship. The last line of defense against heading down that path is next year's local elections."

Song Eonseok, the party's floor leader, said, "The government and ruling party have completely seized control of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and are now trying to seize local power to complete a perfect dictatorship," stressing, "The People Power Party must win this election together with the people."

Oh Sehoon, Mayor of Seoul, criticized, "The administration and the Democratic Party have launched a ruthless attack on Seoul's municipal administration, embarking in earnest on what is being called an 'Oh Sehoon takedown.' Not only the ruling party, but even the Prime Minister and ministers are unilaterally condemning the Seoul Metropolitan Government."

He continued, "While they interfere in typical local government affairs, they have no hesitation in bypassing the Seoul Metropolitan Government in the housing policy decision-making process, where cooperation is actually needed. If they shake the law and local autonomy for political calculations, that boomerang will return as judgment from the people."

Na Kyungwon, head of the Local Election Planning Unit, remarked, "If the Lee Jaemyung administration seizes control of local governments as well, won't it be the beginning of a dark era? I also worry that, like the Lee Jaemyung and Kim Manbae group, the nation's assets may be plundered again." She added, "The party is working to establish a fair nomination policy and ways to strengthen candidate capabilities," and explained, "The Local Election Planning Unit is also preparing a low-cost, high-efficiency publicity strategy."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.