Kwon Young-se Emphasizes Fair Competition in People Power Party’s Primary: “Our Primary Must Differ from the Nominal One of the Democratic Party” 🗳️

Kwon Young-se, the interim chairman of the People Power Party (PPP), has stressed the importance of a fair and impartial primary process for selecting the party’s candidate for the upcoming presidential election. He stated that the primary should not favor any particular individual and that all candidates must compete under the same standards.

Key Points:

• Fair Competition: Kwon emphasized that all candidates must start on equal footing and compete fairly.
• No Favoritism: The primary process should not be manipulated to benefit or disadvantage any candidate.
• Party Unity: Kwon warned against making irresponsible statements that could harm party unity and stressed the need for a harmonious and competitive process.
• Criticism of the Democratic Party: He contrasted the PPP’s approach with what he described as the Democratic Party’s “nominal” primary, dominated by Lee Jae-myung.

Detailed Summary:

At a meeting of the emergency countermeasures committee on April 14, 2025, Kwon Young-se addressed the upcoming primary for the 21st presidential election. He stated firmly, “There will be no actions to support a specific individual or disadvantage anyone.” He cautioned against any behavior that undermines fair competition or disrupts party unity, promising strict accountability for such actions.

Kwon emphasized that the PPP’s primary principle is clear: all candidates must start from the same line and compete under the same criteria. He criticized some for making irresponsible statements that harm the party, accusing them of spreading groundless conspiracy theories to create favorable conditions for themselves or justify their actions. He warned that such behavior, though seemingly beneficial in the short term, would darken the party’s future.

Floor leader Kwon Seong-dong also noted the unique conditions and environment of this primary, with over ten candidates participating. He cautioned against overheating and unnecessary conflicts, stressing that the most important thing is party harmony and unity. He called for a beautiful primary where candidates compete fiercely but fairly, accepting the results cleanly. He urged candidates to focus on national vision and policy, avoiding unfounded accusations and excessive personal attacks, which he said is what party members and the public desire.

Kwon Seong-dong added, “We are all together within the big tent of the People Power Party. Let’s create a wonderful primary that exemplifies democratic norms. Our party must be different from the Democratic Party, which is conducting a merely formal primary under the one-man rule of Lee Jae-myung.”

Following the meeting, chief spokesperson Shin Dong-wook addressed concerns that the withdrawal of Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former Assemblyman Yoo Seong-min might dampen enthusiasm for the primary. He stated, “We cannot change the primary rules to accommodate specific candidates for the sake of excitement.” He clarified that even if a particular candidate could boost the primary’s appeal, the leadership would not alter the rules for that individual’s benefit.

Regarding criticisms from Oh Se-hoon and Yoo Seong-min that the party has not adequately reflected or changed, Shin responded, “Not running is an individual choice. It doesn’t logically follow that one would say, ‘The party is at fault, so I won’t run.’”

Shin also addressed the leadership’s request for restraint regarding a press conference by some lawmakers urging Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, acting as President, to run for president. He suggested that the leadership might have deemed such a press conference inappropriate given the sensitive stage of the primary. He reiterated that the party leadership consistently emphasizes a fair primary and will continue to avoid anything that could undermine it.