People Power Party Floor Leader Election Set for the 9th; Kim Do-eup, Sung Il-jong, Jeong Jong-sik Vie for Top Post

Following the resignation of Floor Leader Song Eon-seok, the People Power Party (PPP) has decided to elect a new floor leader on the 9th. Lawmakers Kim Do-eup, Sung Il-jong, and Jeong Jong-sik announced their candidacies on the 5th, forming a three-way contest. The election is seen as a critical juncture that will determine accountability for the party's defeats in the local elections and the direction of its reform efforts.

Lawmaker Kim Do-eup emphasized party unity and chemical bonding through factional neutrality. Lawmaker Jeong Jong-sik proposed reconstruction through the restoration of trust and integration. Lawmaker Sung Il-jong stated he would serve as a platform for harmony for the public and the party, advocating for leadership reform. Sung also pledged to expand the roles of senior lawmakers, place personnel with future general elections in mind, and reform the Yeouido Research Institute.

Lawmakers Kim Do-eup and Sung Il-jong urged Acting Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk to reflect on the local election defeats, stressing the obligation to act in accordance with public sentiment. Regarding the issue of readmitting former members, both expressed positive views, with Kim stating it's 'unavoidable to accept' and Sung calling them 'tremendous assets,' though they both advocated for caution on the timing. In contrast, Lawmaker Jeong Jong-sik drew a line, stating that the party should not be divided over issues such as the continuation of the current leadership system or readmission while the floor leader election is underway.