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  • Kim Moon Soo Gains Prominence in June 3 Local Elections as Jang Dong-hyeok Keeps Low Profile
    Kim Moon Soo Gains Prominence in June 3 Local Elections as Jang Dong-hyeok Keeps Low Profile Ahead of the June 3 local elections, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok has kept a low profile, avoiding regional campaign events, as former Labor Minister Kim Moon Soo’s presence has grown. With People Power Party candidates for metropolitan and provincial governor and mayor posts in Busan, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK), Gangwon and other areas asking Kim to serve as campaign chair, Jang has appeared to step back. Jang on April 29 announced regional economy and livelihood pledges at the National Assembly. “We will energize local economies so people’s lives improve,” he said, proposing steps including narrowing the housing market gap between the Seoul area and the rest of the country, introducing a production-boosting tax system described as a “Korean version of the IRA,” building a safety net for small-business succession, and cutting road occupancy fees. Later, he met with young people at a cafe in Seoul’s Seodaemun district for a discussion on everyday policy proposals. “Young people have stronger capabilities than any generation before them, but the stage to show them is narrow,” Jang said. He added that the party would “be reborn as a true youth party” where young people’s voices reach policymakers first and quickly become policy. The moves were seen as a minimal return to policy messaging after a recent controversy over a U.S. trip subsided. Kim, the party’s presidential candidate last year, has been taking on a larger role as candidates turn to him rather than Jang for campaign leadership. Kim is currently serving as honorary campaign chair for five election camps: the Busan, Daegu and Sejong mayoral races and the North Gyeongsang and Gangwon gubernatorial races. The decision to put Kim at the forefront has been interpreted as an effort to rally conservative voters. Rep. Jung Sung-kook, a lawmaker aligned with Han Dong-hoon, said on SBS radio that Kim’s broader appeal than Jang’s appeared to be a factor. “It seems there is a judgment that bringing in Kim, who has a wider spectrum than Jang, will help the election,” Jung said. A party official also said local elections typically draw lower turnout, making it difficult to bring disappointed conservative supporters to the polls, which is why candidates appear to be calling on Kim. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 16:46:29
  • People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok unveils regional economy, livelihood pledges
    People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok unveils regional economy, livelihood pledges Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, announced region-specific pledges on the 29th, saying he would revive local economies and people’s livelihoods with policies that “open up” opportunities rather than “block” them. Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly, Jang said he would “energize regional economies so that people’s lives improve.” He said South Korea’s economy faces an “unprecedented crisis,” citing surging prices and a falling potential growth rate, and warned that stagflation is becoming reality. He said repeated shocks to the national economy have hit regional economies and households even harder. Jang also criticized the Lee Jae-myung administration, saying it is continuing a “runaway” course without brakes and pushing the country “to the edge.” He said the People Power Party would “stop it and set things right.” As key pledges on regional economies and livelihoods, he proposed steps to narrow the housing-market divide between the Seoul metropolitan area and the provinces, introduce a tax incentive to promote domestic production (a “Korea-style IRA”), build safeguards for small and midsize business succession, and expand discounts on road-occupation fees. On boosting provincial real estate, Jang said the party would gradually ease debt service ratio (DSR) rules in the provinces to match those in the Seoul area, raising loan limits and expanding homebuying opportunities for end users. He also said the party would pursue a plan to exclude purchases of unsold homes in the provinces from the home-count used in housing-demand calculations. On a “Korea-style IRA,” he said support would cover all industries at high risk of manufacturing hollowing-out, and would specify a domestic-purchase share requirement so that tax benefits extend across the domestic production ecosystem. Jang also said he would push to enact a “Special Act on Small and Midsize Business Succession,” providing institutional support for succession at companies run for at least 10 years by owners age 60 or older. He said the plan would also support third-party succession and succession through mergers and acquisitions. He added that, taking into account the share of non-tax revenue at local governments, the party would expand the scope of road-occupation fee reductions from housing to buildings and other structures. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 11:30:35
  • Choo Kyung-ho Resigns as Lawmaker to Run for Daegu Mayor, Vows to Rebuild Conservatives
    Choo Kyung-ho Resigns as Lawmaker to Run for Daegu Mayor, Vows to Rebuild Conservatives Choo Kyung-ho, the People Power Party’s candidate for Daegu mayor, said April 29 he submitted his resignation as a National Assembly member to run in the local election, pledging to restore political balance starting in Daegu. In a statement, Choo, a three-term lawmaker from Dalseong County in Daegu, said, “Korea needs a counterweight to protect the country. I will try to reestablish that balance starting from Daegu.” He called the local election “an important turning point for Korea’s democracy,” adding that “with power tilted to one side,” the country needs a counterweight. “I will try to reestablish that balance starting from Daegu,” he said, adding that he wants to prove “the conservative camp’s economic competence” through results and to “be the start of rebuilding conservatism.” Choo also reflected on his decade in parliament, citing “fierce committee meetings” and late nights in the lawmakers’ office building. He said his party and Dalseong County were always “side by side” before his name and that it was a source of pride. He said that while the lawmaker’s badge weighed “only 6 grams,” the responsibility was hard to measure, and that “even today, 10 years later, that weight has not become any lighter.” He thanked fellow lawmakers for sharing the burden. Choo said he felt heavy and apologetic about stepping away, recalling efforts to protect livelihoods and plan for the future under what he described as a difficult National Assembly in which the Democratic Party holds a majority. “Even if I’m physically farther away, I believe the path we walk is ultimately one,” he said, adding he would keep working to improve people’s lives “in the National Assembly and in the field.” The deadline for lawmakers running in the local election to resign is May 4. If an incumbent resigns by April 30, a by-election in the district will be held alongside the June 3 local elections. If the resignation comes May 1 or later, the by-election will be held in April next year.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-29 10:00:38
  • People Power Party Nominates Ahn Gyo-jae for Suwon Mayor, Park Tae-kyung for Hwaseong Mayor
    People Power Party Nominates Ahn Gyo-jae for Suwon Mayor, Park Tae-kyung for Hwaseong Mayor The People Power Party's Nomination Management Committee on April 28 finalized Ahn Gyo-jae as its candidate for Suwon special city mayor and Park Tae-kyung as its candidate for Hwaseong special city mayor. Committee Chair Park Deok-heum told reporters at the party's central headquarters in Seoul's Yeouido that the committee had completed the vote count for the internal primaries to pick the Suwon and Hwaseong mayoral nominees. Park also outlined the next steps for National Assembly by-elections and rules on vote bonuses and penalties in party primaries. He said the party plans to post a notice on April 29 to accept applications for nominations in additional by-elections that arise, with filings accepted through April 30. He said interviews for applicants will be held May 1, and the committee will move quickly to decide the nomination method and announce candidates. In districts holding primaries, voting will run for two days starting May 3, with final candidates to be announced on May 5. The committee also approved standards for adding or subtracting points in primaries. Park said the party decided to reduce a portion of primary vote shares for candidates who previously served as lawmakers in the same constituency, in an effort to encourage newcomers to enter politics. Those who served three or more terms in the same district would face a 15% deduction in a two-way race and a 10% deduction in races with three or more candidates, he said. Candidates viewed as having sharply low competitiveness after losing three or more times in the same district would face a 30% deduction in a two-way race and a 20% deduction in races with three or more candidates, he added. 2026-04-28 18:39:19
  • Cho Eung-cheon Enters Gyeonggi Governor’s Race, Setting Up Three-Way Contest
    Cho Eung-cheon Enters Gyeonggi Governor’s Race, Setting Up Three-Way Contest Reform Party politician Cho Eung-cheon declared his candidacy for Gyeonggi governor on April 28, a move expected to turn the race into a three-way contest with the Democratic Party and the People Power Party. With Rep. Choo Mi-ae confirmed as the Democratic Party’s candidate, a possible conservative alliance between the People Power Party and the Reform Party has emerged as a key variable. At a news conference at the National Assembly, Cho urged voters to “put down the wrong answer sheets of bad candidates and strange candidates” and choose “the good candidate, Cho Eung-cheon,” to lead the province. He accused both major parties of “bullying politics” that treats Gyeonggi as a stepping stone for political ambition, saying the two parties had “taken away” residents’ choices. Cho criticized the Democratic Party, saying it viewed Gyeonggi residents as “fish already caught.” Taking aim at Choo, he said the party’s nomination reflected arrogance — as if it could “win even by putting up a stick” — and questioned why it would field someone he said had no ties to Gyeonggi and had focused on political fights in Seoul’s National Assembly. He also faulted the People Power Party, saying it still had no candidate because no senior figure had stepped forward and even an additional recruitment effort failed to find a competitive contender. Cho pointed to the election of Rep. Lee Jun-seok in Hwaseong’s Dongtan area in the last general election, saying residents there showed that voters will choose a better option when one is available. “Now is the time to make the Dongtan miracle happen across all of Gyeonggi,” he said. The Reform Party said it aims to serve as an alternative force by challenging what it called the entrenched politics of the two major parties. Party leader Lee accompanied Cho at the news conference and said the People Power Party “no longer has the strength or ability” to stand up to the Democratic Party. He said the Reform Party has a clear purpose and that Cho decided to run because he was convinced about ending two-party politics. Cho, however, left open the possibility of a unified conservative candidacy with the People Power Party. “We have no reason to unify,” he said, adding that if the People Power Party makes a proposal, “we will listen.” The People Power Party is holding its primary for the Gyeonggi governor’s race. Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja, former MBC announcer Lee Seong-bae and former Korea Expressway Corp. president Ham Jin-gyu are running, with the party set to confirm its final candidate on May 2. Any talks on a conservative alliance are expected to intensify after that selection.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 17:28:33
  • PPP floor leader condemns ruling party over bid to let Jeong Dong-young dismissal motion lapse
    PPP floor leader condemns ruling party over bid to let Jeong Dong-young dismissal motion lapse Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, on April 28 criticized National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and the Democratic Party over a recommendation to dismiss Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young that was reported to the plenary session. In a Facebook post, Song said that because April’s extraordinary session was holding its final plenary meeting that day, the motion was expected to be discarded without a vote, calling it a “procedural trick.” Citing the National Assembly Act, Song said a minister dismissal recommendation is discarded if it is not put to a vote within 72 hours after 24 hours have passed from the time it is reported. He said the PPP had strongly demanded that a plenary session be held on April 27 to report the motion and that it be voted on at the April 28 session. “What is a 60-seat ruling party afraid of that it cannot even vote on it?” Song wrote, adding that the party could simply vote it down rather than let it lapse. Song also argued that even if the motion were to pass, it has no binding force and President Lee Jae-myung could refuse to dismiss Jeong. He said it was hard to understand why the Democratic Party would still avoid a vote, and claimed that the presidential office’s national security chief had officially acknowledged that Jeong’s remarks were one factor contributing to friction between South Korea and the United States. Song said the National Assembly should hold Cabinet members accountable when they harm the national interest, and he condemned Woo and the Democratic Party for blocking a vote. He added that while they would not accept a vote on a motion proposed by a minority opposition party, they were pressing ahead with what he called a rushed, election-driven constitutional revision opposed by the minority opposition. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 14:41:16
  • Cho Eung-cheon Announces Run for Gyeonggi Governor as Reform Party Candidate
    Cho Eung-cheon Announces Run for Gyeonggi Governor as Reform Party Candidate Cho Eung-cheon, a former Reform Party lawmaker, announced on April 28 that he will run for governor of Gyeonggi Province, urging voters to “put down the wrong answer sheets of bad and strange candidates” and choose him as a “good candidate.” Speaking at a news conference at the National Assembly, Cho said he has lived by “principles and conviction.” He criticized eight years of Democratic Party leadership in the province, from Lee Jae-myung to Kim Dong-yeon, asking what had changed for residents. Cho noted the population rose by 1 million, from 13 million to 14 million, and the province’s main budget expanded from 20 trillion won to 40 trillion won, more than doubling, but questioned how much residents’ lives improved. Cho said the Democratic Party now treats Gyeonggi residents like “fish already caught,” and took aim at Democratic Party candidate Choo Mi-ae, saying it was arrogant to nominate someone with no ties to the province who had not lived there and had focused on political fights in the National Assembly. He also criticized the People Power Party, saying its “bullying politics” of using Gyeonggi as a sacrifice for personal political advancement must end. He said the party still had the race vacant because no senior figure stepped forward despite encouragement and it failed to find a competitive candidate even after additional recruitment. “The two major parties have taken away Gyeonggi residents’ right to choose,” Cho said, adding, “Gyeonggi needs administration, not politics. What matters is competence and experience, not a party label.” Cho called the long-standing gap in living conditions between southern and northern Gyeonggi a key challenge. He said the southern belt should be further strengthened as a foundation for South Korea’s growth and innovation, and that the results should be shared more evenly with northern Gyeonggi and the country as a whole. He pledged a denser, more rational transportation network for residents who moved from Seoul to Gyeonggi, and said new momentum is needed for first-generation new towns where 300,000 households in Bundang, Ilsan, Pyeongchon, Sanbon and Jungdong are aging at the same time. Cho also said he is the only candidate who can fight “with conviction and professional capability” against the ruling party’s push to move a semiconductor industrial complex to what he called an uncompetitive, remote area. Cho pointed to Hwaseong’s Dongtan, saying residents showed in the last general election that they can make a better choice by electing Rep. Lee Jun-seok. “Now it’s time to make the Dongtan miracle happen across all of Gyeonggi,” he said, calling for a political upset. Asked about the possibility of a conservative alliance with the People Power Party, Cho said his party has no reason to unify candidacies, but added, “If a proposal comes, we’ll listen.” * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 11:54:51
  • PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Opposes Hasty Election-Driven Constitutional Revision
    PPP Floor Leader Song Eon-seok Opposes 'Hasty' Election-Driven Constitutional Revision Song Eon-seok, floor leader of the People Power Party, said April 28 that a constitutional amendment should not be rushed ahead of an election, as the National Assembly prepared to vote on a revision bill jointly introduced by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and six floor parties.   Speaking at a party meeting at the National Assembly, Song said pushing a revision through in a hurry for electoral purposes would set a precedent and fuel “constitutional revision populism” every election season. “Our party is not opposing the substance of constitutional revision,” Song said. “We oppose a hasty, election-driven revision,” as he presented what he called the People Power Party’s five principles for a proper amendment. He argued against a piecemeal approach, saying, “Step-by-step revision is ultimately a patchwork revision,” and warned that repeatedly making small changes would leave the Constitution like “a patchwork garment.” Song said the Constitution’s preamble, which defines its history and spirit, requires careful and rigorous debate rather than a simple yes-or-no decision. He said some have argued the preamble should reflect the constitutional significance of liberal democracy during the Korean War, calling it an issue that should be addressed together. He also said broader public discussion is needed on whether to group the Bu-Ma Democratic Protests and the May 18 Democratization Movement with the April 19 democratic ideal in the current preamble, or treat them as separate principles. Song said revision should not be led by those in power, but should be “the people’s revision,” with the National Assembly, academia and civil society participating. He said all parties should work together under the Assembly’s leadership to gather public opinion and revise the Constitution accordingly. He added that revision should not be pushed through by pro-government parties to isolate the opposition, but should proceed through bipartisan agreement based on political balance. Song said the People Power Party again proposes that after the election, in the second half of the 22nd National Assembly, the parties form a special parliamentary committee on constitutional revision to discuss a comprehensive package, from the preamble to changes in the power structure. Song also expressed regret over Woo’s remarks on the People Power Party’s official stance opposing the revision, after Woo said lawmakers should be able to vote in the plenary session according to their conscience and convictions. Song said a party line is decided by the collective will of all its lawmakers and called Woo’s comments inappropriate, saying they distorted the situation as if party lawmakers were being forced to abandon their conscience. He demanded an apology. * This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-28 09:54:19
  • Seoul Voters Split Ahead of June 3 Local Elections: Jung Won-oh vs. Oh Se-hoon
    Seoul Voters Split Ahead of June 3 Local Elections: Jung Won-oh vs. Oh Se-hoon 6·3 local elections are shaping up as a tight contest in Seoul, with voters voicing divided support for Democratic Party mayoral candidate Jung Won-oh and People Power Party candidate Oh Se-hoon. With President Lee Jae-myung’s job-approval rating averaging above 60%, some expected Jung — often described as Lee’s pick — to dominate. But interviews suggested a competing desire among some voters to check the government and ruling party. Aju Economy spoke on April 27 with residents in Seoul’s Jongno, Yongsan, Seongdong and Seocho districts. In Jongno, home to the presidential office complex and major government buildings, and in Yongsan, a key part of the so-called “Han River belt” of swing districts, voters offered mixed views rather than rallying behind one candidate. Some Jung supporters cited trust in the president more than the candidate himself. A 71-year-old woman selling snacks at Gwangjang Market said, “You have to pick someone who does a good job. This time, everyone says they’ll vote No. 1, the Democratic Party,” adding, “Isn’t the president doing well?” A 74-year-old taxi driver said the president’s approval “keeps going up” and that Lee “seems to work hard and pay attention even to small things.” He argued that Oh has served as mayor multiple times and said, “He hasn’t done anything, and we need to change to someone new.” Oh supporters, however, voiced skepticism about the government’s cash-aid policies. A 66-year-old who has run a wrapping-cloth shop at Gwangjang Market for 20 years criticized what she called “just handing out money,” saying it drives up prices and fabric costs and “the damage all goes to consumers.” She said politics should focus on the long term, not “momentary politics.” A 25-year-old woman working part time at a store inside Yongsan Station said she planned to vote for Oh because “there are a lot of things I don’t like about the current government’s policies.” She questioned whether handing out consumer coupons was anything more than temporary. At the Sewoon Arcade, an 80-year-old shop owner selling heating and cooling equipment said, “Everyone around here supports Oh Se-hoon,” adding that Oh’s pledge to redevelop the area should be completed with another term. Reactions were sharper in Seongdong, where Jung served three terms as district mayor, and in conservative-leaning Seocho. In Seongdong, several residents said they felt Jung’s policies delivered results. An 84-year-old woman who has lived in the district for more than 40 years said that when she called in complaints during Jung’s time as district mayor, she often saw changes “reflected the next day.” She said she had hoped he would become Seoul mayor even before he ran as a Democratic Party candidate. A 56-year-old self-employed resident of Geumho-dong said he would vote for Jung and hoped that, based on his administrative record, support for small businesses — such as Seoul Pay — would be strengthened. In Seocho, residents interviewed largely said they would back Oh. A 24-year-old who said he was born and raised in the district argued that Oh should be mayor “to check and stop the runaway” of the Democratic Party, which he described as the dominant ruling party. A 70-year-old resident who moved to Banpo-dong during a reconstruction project 10 years ago said Oh’s city administration was not perfect, but added, “No matter what, shouldn’t we vote for the People Power Party?” He said Oh’s push for development in northern Seoul appeared to be a strength. A 54-year-old resident of Bangbae-dong said she would vote for Oh but called for broader reform within the People Power Party and “new figures” to counter the Democratic Party. She also said party leader Jang Dong-hyeok should step down and take responsibility for the party’s falling approval ratings. 2026-04-27 17:43:28
  • South Korea’s People Power Party Feuds Over Leader Jang Dong-hyeok With Local Vote Near
    South Korea’s People Power Party Feuds Over Leader Jang Dong-hyeok With Local Vote Near 6·3 local elections and parliamentary by-elections are 40 days away, and infighting in the People Power Party is intensifying over calls for leader Jang Dong-hyeok to step down. Pressure has grown amid controversy over a U.S. trip and the party’s lowest support level since its founding, but Jang has signaled he will stay, suggesting the dispute will continue. Jang on April 24 rejected demands that he resign. In a Facebook post, he wrote, "Stepping down as party leader because the situation is not good is not what a responsible politician does." He added, "Since becoming party leader, I have run toward victory in the local elections," and said he would "finish the local elections to the best of my ability and be evaluated with confidence." He moved to tamp down speculation about his future about three hours after saying he would think about his position. Earlier that morning, Jang told reporters at the National Assembly that he would consider whether resigning 40 days before the local elections would truly fulfill his responsibility as leader and whether it would help the party win. He was responding after a poll released the previous day showed the party’s support at 15%. In the National Barometer Survey released April 23, the Democratic Party’s support stood at 48% and the People Power Party’s at 15%. The poll was conducted April 20-22 by Embrain Public, Kstat Research, Korea Research and Hankook Research through telephone interviews of 1,005 adults age 18 and older. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level. (For details, see the National Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.) Calls for Jang to step aside continued within the party. Rep. Bae Hyun-jin, who chairs the party’s Seoul chapter, said Jang’s news conference was the first time he had shown a willingness to make a decision, whether by moving to a second-line role or resigning, for the sake of candidates and the party. She warned that May 14 was Jang’s final deadline, saying that after all main candidates are registered, "there will be no Jang Dong-hyeok left in the People Power Party." Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, the party’s candidate for Seoul mayor, also urged Jang to pull back. In a media interview, Oh said, "The time has come when restraint or a decision is needed," adding that candidates "honestly" want Jang to be less visible because they believe that would help. Citing the party’s lowest support since its founding, Oh said the leader should feel responsible and reduce his public activities, effectively calling for Jang to move to the sidelines. Others defended Jang. Twenty-eight party committee chairs who are not lawmakers called for an end to efforts to shake him. Park Jong-jin, head of the party’s Incheon chapter, said at a National Assembly news conference that demanding the resignation of a legitimate leader elected by party members and guaranteed a term was an act that would ruin the election. He asked whether the party could win by excluding a leader who has the support of more than half of party members and running a separate campaign committee. Park said that with the local elections close, it was undesirable to undermine the leadership system regardless of who leads, and the party should unite. With the local elections nearing and Jang publicly refusing to resign, he appears unlikely to step down before voting ends. Still, some in the party say the leadership turmoil has become an election risk as the leader is distracted by questions about his future.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-04-24 17:58:03