The primary election for the next floor leader of the People Power Party, scheduled for the 16th, has been confirmed as a three-way battle between Lee Heon-seung (fourth term, Busan Jin-gu Eul), Song Eon-seok (third term, Gyeongbuk Gimcheon), and Kim Seong-won (third term, Gyeonggi Dongducheon-si Yangju-si Yeoncheon-gun).
Following the defeat in the 6.3 presidential election, conflicts surrounding the party's direction continue, and the three candidates are pooling their efforts to win public support by emphasizing 'unity' and 'reform.'
On the 14th, the Party Floor Leader Election Management Committee said that the candidates Lee Heon-seung, Kim Seong-won, and Song Eon-seok had completed their registration. According to a lottery, the order of candidate numbers was assigned to Song Eon-seok, Lee Heon-seung, and Kim Seong-won.
On this day, Lee Heon-seung, who declared his candidacy at the last minute, said, 'Above all, unity is a priority,' promising to eliminate factions within the party and to re-establish democracy. He emphasized that, as the only fourth-term candidate, he would achieve compromise against the three-term floor leader of the ruling party (Kim Byung-ki of the Democratic Party of Korea).
Lee is evaluated as having a light factional color. He is advocating for 'rational and strong conservatism.' He self-identifies as 'the floor leader for everyone' and has proposed recognition of the crisis, neutrality, and both unity and reform plans.
Song Eon-seok noted, 'The strength to overcome the harsh reality of being a minor opposition party lies with wise and strong senior and fellow lawmakers,' stating, 'We will unite our strength and undoubtedly lead to change and reform for the party.' Song analyzed the reasons for the presidential election failure and proposed a reform plan based on policy and a model of 'deliberative policy party.'
Kim Seong-won, a three-term lawmaker from the metropolitan area classified as part of the 'pro-Han Dong-hoon faction,' stated, 'Until the end, I will convey the message of reform and unity to each and every member of the assembly,' adding, 'I will gather the scattered public sentiment again and lead the way toward a future of unity and reform, starting from here.' He puts forth a line of restoring democracy, rebuilding conservatism, and practical reform, highlighting the potential for expanding public support in the metropolitan area and moderates.
The three candidates are expected to reveal their positions on current issues, including party reform, through a joint debate before the primary vote. The new floor leader will need to address sensitive issues that have arisen since the 6.3 presidential election defeat, such as the timing of the party convention to elect the next party leader. Navigating the confrontation with the large ruling party and strategizing for victory in next year's local elections are also unavoidable tasks.