The People Power Party announced on the 22nd that it has confirmed four candidates for the second round of the 21st presidential election: Kim Moon-soo, Ahn Cheol-soo, Han Dong-hoon, and Hong Joon-pyo (in alphabetical order).
Candidate Na Kyung-won and three others, including Yang Hyang-ja, Yoo Jeong-bok, and Lee Cheol-woo, were eliminated.
Chairperson Hwang Woo-yeo announced the results of the first preliminary round of the presidential candidate contest at the National Assembly.
Chairperson Hwang said, "Today’s contest results will not disclose rankings or numbers as per the Public Official Election Act, and only the names of the candidates will be announced in alphabetical order."
The People Power Party conducted a 100% public opinion poll targeting eight preliminary candidates from the 21st to the 22nd to narrow down to the top four.
Five polling organizations conducted a total sample survey of 4,000 general citizens, with 800 people surveyed by each organization to calculate the averages. A 'reverse selection prevention clause' was applied, limiting the sample to only the supporters of the People Power Party and the undecided voters.
Ahn, who was initially expected to fall behind candidate Na for the fourth position, is noted for overcoming the barriers of a strong support base.
Accordingly, in the second round of the contest, it is expected that Ahn Cheol-soo and Han Dong-hoon, classified as supporters of impeachment (pro-impeachment faction), will face off against Kim Moon-soo and Hong Joon-pyo, who are against impeachment (anti-impeachment faction).
Candidates Yang Hyang-ja, Yoo Jeong-bok, and Lee Cheol-woo were predicted to find it difficult to advance to the second round due to their weak organizational base, recognition, and ability to rally the conservative electorate.
Yoo Jeong-bok and Lee Cheol-woo faced challenges in fully concentrating on the contest due to their duties as mayor of Incheon and governor of North Gyeongsang Province, respectively, while candidate Yang, who came from the Democratic Party of Korea, joined the People Power Party only on the 10th, just before the contest began.
The People Power Party will hold a live debate for the four candidates advancing to the second round on the 24th and 25th. After that, an online voting poll by the election committee (50%) and a public opinion survey (50%) will be conducted, with the results of the second round expected to be announced on the 29th.
If there is a majority vote, the final presidential candidate will be confirmed. If not, the candidate will be finalized and announced at the congress on May 3, using the same method as in the second round.