The leadership of the People Power Party promised on the 14th to manage a fair primary.
Chairperson Kwon Young-se said at the meeting of the emergency response committee that 'the principles of our party's primary are clear' and that 'all candidates must start from the same starting line and compete under the same criteria.' He added, 'There will be no promotion of a specific individual, nor will there be any disadvantage to anyone.'
Chairperson Kwon also noted, 'There are irresponsible remarks that are hurting the party' and that 'there have even been cases where absurd conspiracy theories were raised for the purpose of creating an advantageous environment for themselves or justifying their actions.' He added, 'Such behavior is the worst self-inflicted wound that darkens the party's future.'
Chairperson Kwon's remarks are interpreted as relating to calls within the party for Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is acting as president, to run for office. They are mentioning a 'post-primary unification' scenario while calling for Han's candidacy. In response, candidates in the party's primary, such as former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo and former representative Han Dong-hoon, are strongly opposing this. It is interpreted as a strategy to calm their opposition and revive interest in the primary.
Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader, also stated that 'the People Power Party must differ from the Democratic Party of Korea, which conducts a 'facade primary' under Lee Jae-myung's one-man dictatorship.'
Floor leader Kwon said, 'The party leadership will ensure that a fair primary is held amid beautiful competition, and we must compete fiercely but accept the results cleanly while playing fair.'
He added, 'The most important thing is the unity and solidarity of the party,' noting that 'negative campaigns, such as baseless accusations or excessive attacks against opposing candidates, should be minimized as much as possible.'