Sancheong People Power Party New Year's Gathering Faces 'Disruption of Party Order' Ahead of Local Elections

Controversy Grows Over Event Seating Arrangements
Concerns Raised About Favoritism During Food Distribution

With the 2026 local elections approaching, the Sancheong region People Power Party New Year's meeting in South Gyeongsang Province has become embroiled in controversy over alleged disruptions of internal party order.

During the event, there were multiple instances of blatant "line-up tactics" and the creation of a "pre-election atmosphere" centered around certain individuals, leading to growing criticism among party members.

The main issue arose during the seating arrangement process. It was claimed that only ordinary party members, rather than spouses of politicians or prospective candidates, were asked to move to specific seats.

Group photo of the Sancheong People Power Party New Year's Meeting in 2026.

In contrast, the spouses of certain politicians and those rumored to run in the next election were assigned front-row or prominent seats without any restrictions, sparking concerns over fairness.

Further complaints emerged during the food and beverage distribution. Many of the volunteers serving and guiding at the event were spouses of individuals mentioned as potential candidates for the upcoming local elections. Party members criticized this as "self-promotion disguised as volunteering" and "blatant line-up tactics with the election in mind."

One attending party member remarked, "The New Year's meeting is supposed to be for all members, but it felt more like a rehearsal for an election campaign. Ordinary members were pushed to the back, while only those close to certain figures were highlighted, which was disheartening."

Another member also voiced dissatisfaction, saying, "If fairness and neutrality cannot be maintained even at party events, it raises questions about how fair the nomination process and the election will be in the future."

Such behavior at internal party events, regardless of whether it directly violates the Public Official Election Act, is being pointed out as a serious burden on the party's morality and fairness ahead of the local elections.

In particular, if these actions are perceived as creating discord among members or as attempts to foster an advantageous atmosphere for specific individuals, the risk of internal division cannot be ruled out.

In response, figures in the local political scene have stated, "As the local elections approach, internal party events must be conducted with even greater transparency and restraint," and emphasized, "Party leadership must recognize that even seemingly minor decisions, such as seat assignments and volunteer selection, can have a significant impact on the party's credibility."

Attention is now focused on whether this controversy will end as a minor incident or become a precursor to deeper internal conflict and nomination competition within the Sancheong People Power Party.