Jo Kwang-han Announces Candidacy for Gyeonggi Province Party Chair

Jo Kwang-han, a senior member of the People Power Party, announced his intention to run for the Gyeonggi Province Party Chair on July 15, claiming that many local party committee chairs have been marginalized by current lawmakers.

During a press conference at the National Assembly, Jo stated, "Chairman Kim Seon-kyo has not operated the Gyeonggi Province Party in a reasonable manner through effective communication with all members."

He criticized Kim for sidelining many local committee chairs during the recent local elections and the subsequent gubernatorial race, saying, "There has been almost no communication, even with me as a senior member of the party regarding Gyeonggi Province matters."

Jo pointed out that out of 60 local party committees in Gyeonggi, only seven are led by current lawmakers, leaving 53 local committees feeling significantly hurt and neglected during the election process. He expressed personal anger over the situation.

He explained his motivation for running, saying, "I understand that five or six Gyeonggi lawmakers recently gathered to discuss the next chairperson. The provincial party must be led through political unity and cooperation, rather than being operated based on the will of a few individuals."

When asked if the influence of Representative Jang Dong-hyuk played a role in his candidacy, Jo denied it, stating, "That is not true. I have not consulted with Representative Jang, and he is unaware of my candidacy."

Jo lamented the attitude of current lawmakers, suggesting that they seem to prioritize their own interests and advantages as elected officials over the collective synergy of all party members. He emphasized, "The People Power Party is sustained by the hard work and dedication of approximately 250 local committee chairs, as well as the hopes, sacrifices, and efforts of all party members in the province."