PPP Nomination Committee Meets 18th; Focus on Veteran Lawmaker Exclusion

The People Power Party's (PPP) Nomination Committee met on the 18th to discuss the selection of the Daegu mayoral candidate, with the application of exclusion (cut-off) for veteran lawmakers expected to become a variable in the local election landscape. Amid fierce competition for the Daegu mayoral post, known as the 'heart of conservatism,' nine prospective candidates have registered: lawmakers Joo Ho-young, Yoon Jae-ok, Choo Kyung-ho, Yoo Young-ha, and Choi Eun-seok, along with former Broadcasting and Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-sook, former Dong District Mayor Lee Jae-man, former lawmaker Hong Seok-jun, and former Auditor Kim Han-gu.

It was revealed that Nomination Committee Chairman Lee Jung-hyun recently advocated for a plan within the committee to cut off all candidates except Choi Eun-seok and Lee Jin-sook, proceeding with a two-person primary. As opinions within the party diverge over Lee Jung-hyun's 'innovative nomination' approach, lawmaker Joo Ho-young expressed strong criticism on Facebook on March 17th, stating, "Why are you trying to trample on Daegu public sentiment with such reckless behavior?"

Local lawmakers in the Daegu region are sensing a crisis, fearing they could lose even the Daegu mayoral seat, especially with the potential entry of former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum from the Democratic Party. In a call with reporters on March 17th, Lee Jung-hyun stated that a conclusion on the Daegu nomination would not be reached in a day or two. Meanwhile, for the Gyeongbuk provincial governor nomination, a debate involving lawmaker Lim Yi-ja, Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won, and former Deputy Prime Minister Choi Kyeong-hwan was held on March 16th without any cut-offs, raising questions of fairness compared to the proposed cut-off policy for Daegu mayoral candidates.