The People Power Party will hold a parliamentary representative election for a leadership change on the 16th after its defeat in the June 3 presidential election. With three-term lawmakers Song Eon-seok (Gyeongbuk Gimcheon), Kim Sung-won (Gyeonggi Dongducheon-Yangju-Yeoncheon), and four-term Lee Heon-seung (Busan Jin-gu Eul) competing, the results are expected to influence the direction of the party's renewal and the balance of power within the party.
As the regional bases of Song Eon-seok (Seoul), Kim Sung-won (Daegu-Gyeongbuk), and Lee Heon-seung (Busan-Gyeongnam) intertwine with interests among the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction, the old mainstream faction (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol faction), and neutral factions, this could become a watershed moment that goes beyond a simple change of leadership in the National Assembly, determining the party's direction and identity.
All three candidates are emphasizing 'factional dissolution' and 'intra-party harmony,' but there are clear differences in their positions on major issues.
Lawmaker Song Eon-seok is a finance expert with experience as the director of the Planning and Budget Office and deputy minister. He served as the floor leader of the 21st National Assembly and is currently the chairperson of the National Assembly's Planning and Finance Committee. Song stated, 'Based on the high policy expertise of People Power Party lawmakers, we will monitor and respond to the overreach and populism of the Lee Jae-myung government by each ministry and present substantial and responsible alternatives for the people and the economy,' emphasizing a commitment to renewing the party as a policy-oriented party.
Although Song is classified as pro-Yoon due to his background as a former policy coordinator for Yoon Suk-yeol's camp, he has drawn a line, calling it 'an insulting frame' against our party. However, on the 'five renewal plans' proposed by Kim Yong-tae, the chairperson of the emergency response committee, such as 'nullifying the party's stance against impeachment' and 'auditing the party regarding the candidate change situation,' he maintains a cautious approach closer to the old pro-Yoon faction.
Lawmaker Kim Sung-won, formerly the head of the Yeouido Institute, is known to belong to the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction, which has a lighter factional coloration. He supported the resolution to lift the martial law during last year's emergency situation and joined the campaign of former representative Han Dong-hoon during the last presidential election. He has made 'restoring intra-party democracy' his top priority in this parliamentary representative election.
He also stated, 'I did not run for a specific intra-party faction,' expressing caution against the framework of faction competition. However, regarding the chairperson's audit on the candidate change situation and the proposal to nullify the party's stance against impeachment, he left open the possibility by saying, 'We will discuss it later.' The faction advocating for party renewal, including the pro-Han faction, views that an audit regarding the party's attempts to forcefully unify presidential candidates is inevitable.
Lawmaker Lee Heon-seung declared his candidacy last but has emerged as the biggest variable in this election. Observers believe that he can garner support from the moderate and centrist members within the party who are weary of factional conflicts, as he is relatively lightly colored with factional ties and is classified as a neutral.
Lee emphasized the importance of intra-party faction dissolution and unity, stating, 'If the divisions among factions continue, we may cross the irretrievable river of splitting the party.' He also emphasized the need to re-establish intra-party democracy. However, he remarked that Kim's aggressive reform drive might 'only provoke conflicts with a public trial-like reflection,' expressing the need for a cautious approach.
The parliamentary representative election will take place at a general assembly at 2 p.m. on the 16th. Voting will occur immediately after candidates present their statements on parliamentary strategies and visions and participate in a joint debate.
The results of this parliamentary representative election are expected to impact the timing of the party representative election and the restructuring of the party's leadership system, including Kim's tenure as chairperson. Within the party, there is a prevailing view that the party convention should take place in July or August, while some suggest holding it at the end of the year. The newly elected parliamentary representative will take on the critical task of consolidating the leadership structure post-presidential election defeat and mending the fractures between factions.
Currently, the main issue is whether Chairperson Kim's term will be extended. If his term extension is confirmed, he will remain in office until the convention in July-August, but if it fails, he will resign on the 30th. In this case, the new parliamentary representative may either serve as the acting party representative or appoint a new chairperson for the emergency committee.
In addition, issues such as renegotiating the composition of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, parliamentary strategies in the 'weak ruling party' phase, and preparations for next year's local elections are piling up.