PPP Internal Strife Worsens: Lee Jin-sook Demands 8-Person Primary Reinstatement, Claims for Han Dong-hoon's Party Return Surface

With the June 3rd local elections on the horizon, the People Power Party (PPP) is grappling with continuous internal conflict stemming from successive difficulties in nominating its Daegu mayoral candidate and selecting a candidate for the Busan Buk-gap by-election.

Lee Jin-sook, former Chairperson of the Korea Communications Commission, reportedly declined an offer to run in the by-election from PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk, demanding the reinstatement of an 8-person primary. Lee has stated her intention to run as an independent if the primary is not reinstated. In the Busan Buk-gap by-election, where former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon is a strong contender, there are calls for the PPP to refrain from nominating a candidate and for Han to rejoin the party before a potential unification.

The PPP's Daegu mayoral primary candidates were narrowed down to two on the 17th, with the final candidate expected to be selected by the end of this month.

The Democratic Party's candidate Kim Bu-gyeom is assembling a team of prominent figures, employing a 'march eastward strategy' to secure a base in the Yeongnam region. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party is facing difficulties in nominating a joint opposition candidate for the Gyeonggi Pyeongtaek-eul constituency, where Cho Kuk, leader of the Jo Guk Innovation Party, has declared his candidacy. Representative Jeong Cheong-rae has stated a policy of nominating candidates in all constituencies. Negotiation for a joint candidate in the Ulsan region with the Progressive Party is also underway, but former Representative Song Young-gil has not yet made a decision.