The upcoming election for the next floor leader of the People Power Party will be contested by four-term lawmaker Yoo Seong-bae from Chungcheong, three-term lawmaker Song Seok-jun from Gyeonggi, and three-term lawmaker Choo Kyung-ho from TK (Daegu-Gyeongbuk). The next floor leader will face the challenge of blocking the aggressive moves by the 192-seat multispectrum coalition and supporting state affairs tasks in the 22nd National Assembly. The election is expected to be intense as it is a crucial position for both countering the opposition’s movements and revitalizing the party after the defeat in the general election.
Candidates completed their registration for the election, with the final selection scheduled for the 9th. Rep. Choo announced his candidacy on the 5th, shaping the election into a multi-candidate race. Rep. Choo expressed his determination to restore the People Power Party’s reputation as a capable party for the people and policies and to transform it into a party loved by the people again through politics that resonate with the public.
Prior to this, Rep. Lee and Rep. Song also registered as candidates. A joint debate among the candidates will be held after the election, where the winner will be selected through a vote. The party faced a challenge due to a lack of candidates, leading to a six-day delay in the election date until multiple candidates registered, opening up internal competition over the party’s operational strategy in the 22nd National Assembly.
The influence of Yoon supporters, who have shown strength in the party and floor leader elections, is expected to be a significant factor in this election. Concerns exist about not having the party seen as a “Yoon-friendly party,” and even though President Yoon Seok-yeol expressed his principle of not interfering in the election, there is a significant view that an individual who can easily communicate with the government should take on the role of floor leader due to the need to balance the struggles with the massive opposition and collaborate with the government on national issues.