Candidates for the People Power Party's primary in the 21st presidential election expressed their aspirations to run for president and revealed their determination to "block Lee Jae-myung." Some candidates emphasized their professional experience, including positions at Samsung Electronics and the National Intelligence Service.
The People Power Party held a media day for the first primary on the morning of 17th at its headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and decided on the discussion groups. Candidates selected their groups and numbers according to the order in which they arrived at the venue. The order of candidates was Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Moon-soo, Yoo Jeong-bok, Lee Cheol-woo, Na Kyung-won, Yang Hyang-ja, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo.
The People Power Party organized candidates Yoo Jeong-bok, Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Moon-soo, and Yang Hyang-ja in Group A for the presidential primary debate, while Lee Cheol-woo, Na Kyung-won, Hong Joon-pyo, and Han Dong-hoon were placed in Group B. The topic for Group A was "Youth Future," and Group B's discussion topic was "Social Integration."
The primary candidates unanimously stated during their one-minute introductions that they would prevent former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung from taking office. Ahn Cheol-soo remarked, "South Korea is at a crossroads between prosperity and decline," and added, "As a physician, I have saved lives, and as an entrepreneur, I have created jobs. I will stop Lee Jae-myung's totalitarianism and excessive spending and aim for national integration and change of era."
Candidate Kim Moon-soo said, "I ran to defeat Lee Jae-myung," adding, "(Lee Jae-myung) sent his older brother to a mental hospital because he opposed his will and insulted his sister-in-law with unmentionable curses. If such a person becomes president, what will happen to the people?" Candidate Hong Joon-pyo stated, "This election is a choice between the Hong Joon-pyo administration and the Lee Jae-myung administration," and asked the people, "Do you want a country riddled with corruption and immorality, or do you want a nation where justice flows like a river?"
Candidate Han Dong-hoon asserted, "Aren't we all united in the desire to stop the monstrous administration and create a good country?" He emphasized, "Having fought the Democratic Party and won with a ratio of 180 to 1, I would like to ask for your trust."
Some candidates emphasized their expertise while appealing for support. Candidate Yang Hyang-ja stated, "The fact that Yang Hyang-ja, who is from a low-income background, became an executive at Samsung and that for the first time in legislative history, an opposition lawmaker became the chairperson of a ruling party's special committee is all thanks to the audacity of a conservative party that values opportunity and ability." She added, "I will dedicate all my efforts to creating the values of a new conservatism."
Candidate Lee Cheol-woo said, "I have worked for 20 years in the national intelligence agency (National Intelligence Service) and have served as the Commissioner of the Information Committee in the National Assembly," adding, "I will protect national security and create a leading nation where people live well." Candidate Na Kyung-won, a former judge, stated, "I will protect the rule of law in free South Korea. Ideology is the answer, and the rule of law is freedom itself."
All candidates plan to conduct the first primary debate over two days on the 19th and 20th, in order of Groups A and B.