"Total Defeat Except for TK"... Calls for Reform Erupt Amid Crisis Gripping People Power Party

Candidates Recall the 2018 Local Election Defeat
Flood Party Leadership with Demands for Moderate Expansion

With the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3 approaching, a sense of crisis is gripping the People Power Party. There are even scenarios being discussed in which the party could be wiped out in all regions except for Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK). Although the election structure has not yet been finalized, candidates running in Seoul and Busan-considered the most fiercely contested battlegrounds-are openly expressing their sense of crisis.

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, and Oh Sehun, mayor of Seoul, are greeting each other at the New Year's meeting held on the 1st at the central party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. On the left is Jang Kyungwoo, former lawmaker and standing advisor. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Candidates expected to be the 'key players' in the local elections are making repeated calls for reform to the party leadership. They argue that in order to appeal to 'Jungsucheong' (moderate, capital region, and young) voters, the party needs to make noticeable changes, such as issuing an apology for the martial law issue and pursuing conservative unity.

Cho Kyungtae, a People Power Party lawmaker who has hinted at a possible run for mayor of Busan, appeared on SBS Radio on January 2 and said, "There is a growing sentiment within the party that things cannot continue as they are," adding, "If we shed the image of being a party that defends martial law and follow it up with thorough self-reflection, there may still be hope."

Oh Sehun, who is running for Seoul mayor for the fifth time, directly confronted People Power Party leader Jang Donghyuk on January 1, saying, "I have held back as much as I can," and demanded, "Acknowledge the mistakes made by former President Yoon Suk-yeol regarding martial law and offer a sincere apology." Mayor Oh also called for a 'Jang-Han-Seok (Jang Donghyuk, Han Donghoon, Lee Junseok) alliance,' saying, "In order to stop the runaway of the Democratic Party, we must gather every bit of strength we have."

Former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin also offered a pessimistic outlook on January 1, saying, "The People Power Party is in its worst state ever. Everything except for Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province will be shaken." Aiming at the party leadership, he added, "The stronger your determination to win the election, the more you should be talking about unity and crossing the river of impeachment, but it seems you are not even considering that."

One senior People Power Party lawmaker said in a phone call, "Even though we were crushed in the 2018 local elections, I am not sure whether lawmakers and party members are feeling a sense of crisis," and predicted, "Unless the leadership changes its direction before the local elections, only the TK and Busan races are likely to be winnable, and it is obvious that we will be completely defeated everywhere else."

Meanwhile, on this day, leader Jang is scheduled to visit former President Lee Myung-bak to seek advice on party management and local election strategies. It appears that, with party platforms, policies, and even a possible party name change under consideration, he is seeking counsel from senior figures in the conservative camp one by one.