The People Power Party and the Democratic Party of Korea have begun to outline their plans to select candidates for the 21st presidential election. Both parties intend to finalize their candidates by the 4th of next month, signaling the commencement of the official "RAY race."
◇'Lee Jae-myung's dominance theory' solidifies the Democratic Party... Will the cut-off be skipped?
First, within the Democratic Party, the theory of "Lee Jae-myung's dominance" is solidifying.
Lee Jae-myung, a leading presidential candidate and former representative of the Democratic Party of Korea, declared his candidacy through a documentary-style video on the morning of the 10th. By showing scenes of the impeachment rally and cherry blossoms symbolizing spring, he stated, “The people are emerging from winter. Let’s create a warm spring day.” Lee will present the national vision in a declaration ceremony on the 11th, which will also reveal the appointments for his election camp.
The party has also initiated preparations for the primary election by forming a candidate management committee. They plan to accept preliminary candidate registrations around the 14th and conduct a national tour primary over about two weeks, with a likely date to confirm candidates around May 3-4.
Kim Dong-yeon, the Governor of Gyeonggi Province from the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction, officially announced his candidacy at Incheon International Airport on the 9th. Former lawmaker Kim Do-kwan has also entered the race for the presidential primary, and former Governor Kim Kyung-soo of Gyeongsangnam-do is expected to officially announce his candidacy soon.
Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum has declared he will not run. Former lawmaker Park Yong-jin and Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Yeong-rok also expressed their intent not to participate in the party's primary.
If only four candidates participate in the primary, the preliminary cut-off procedure will be skipped. According to the Democratic Party's rules, if there are six or fewer participants in the primary, no cut-off will occur. Consequently, the final candidate selection date may be moved up.
◇People Power Party without a dominant figure... Only double-digit candidates
In the People Power Party, where there is no clear dominant candidate, declarations of candidacy are occurring one after another.
Former representative Han Dong-hoon threw his hat in the ring in front of the National Assembly fountain that afternoon. He targeted former representative Lee, saying, “We must prevent a dangerous person from becoming president and a monster regime from being born that will ruin the country.”
He also stated, "I will create a country where the people come first, a nation of a growing middle class, a country where practicality overcomes ideology," declaring his vision of "a $40,000 national income and a 70% middle-class era."
Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, revealed in a statement sent to reporters that she plans to run for president on the 11th. Na stated, “I am running for president with a desperate and heartfelt determination to protect the nation and its people,” adding, “I will absolutely protect and revive the Republic of Korea and its people to the end.”
On the 13th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon will officially announce his candidacy, and Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo will throw his hat in the ring at the campaign office of Daehwa Building in Yeouido on the 14th.
Earlier, People Power Party members Ahn Cheol-soo, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok, Gyeongsangbuk-do Governor Lee Cheol-woo, and former Saenuri Party leader Lee Jung-hyun also declared their candidacies. Former lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja from the Reform Party has also confirmed her entry into the People Power Party after leaving her previous party. So far, a total of 10 candidates have confirmed their candidacies.
There are also successive announcements of non-candidacy. Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, a pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) figure, stated on the 9th, "The Yoon Suk-yeol government has faced impeachment, and I have a significant responsibility. In order to fulfill my responsibilities, I have decided not to run for president."
Five-term lawmaker Kim Gi-hyeon declared, "I intend to take time for introspection and reflection" and announced he would not run. Governor Kim Tae-heum of South Chungcheong Province also stated, "Running for president should not be a means to further one's political career or prepare for the next election," and declared he would not run. Busan Mayor Park Hyung-jun also stated he would not run.
The People Power Party will select four candidates through a 100% public opinion poll in the first cut-off. In the second cut-off, a method of "50% party member vote and 50% public opinion poll" will be applied to narrow it down to two candidates, and the final one will be selected in the third cut-off using the same method.
In terms of dates, candidate registrations will be accepted from the 14th to the 15th, and the first cut-off candidates will be announced on the 16th after document review. The four candidates will be determined through public opinion polling on the 21st and 22nd.
On the 26th, after a debate among the four candidates, the public and the election committee polling will be conducted on the 27th and 28th. The two candidates for the third cut-off will be announced on the 29th, and if any candidate exceeds 50% support, they will immediately become the final candidate on that day.
If it goes to the third cut-off, the final presidential candidate will be confirmed on May 3. The "reverse selection prevention clause" will also be maintained to ensure that supporters from other parties cannot participate in the polling process.