Candidates opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol of the People Power Party advanced to the final voting for party leader, narrowing the position of reformists within the party. Conflicts between the opposing faction and those supporting impeachment intensified during the party convention process, and there is a possibility that demands for some lawmakers to leave the party could arise. Predictions are also emerging that a split movement led by reformists may begin inside and outside the party.
The People Power Party announced on the 22nd that candidates Kim Moon-soo and Jang Dong-hyuk advanced to the final voting for party leader. Candidates classified as reformists, Ahn Cheol-soo and Jo Kyung-tae, ultimately could not overcome the support for the anti-impeachment faction within the party.
According to a public opinion poll released prior to the party convention, the success of the anti-impeachment candidates was anticipated. In a survey conducted by Gallup Korea from the 12th to the 14th involving 1,007 citizens aged 18 and older nationwide, the support rates among the People Power Party's supporters were 46% for Kim Moon-soo, 21% for Jang Dong-hyuk, and 9% for Ahn Cheol-soo and Jo Kyung-tae. This survey was conducted through interviews via randomly selected mobile phone virtual numbers. The margin of error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. (For more details, refer to the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission website.)
While recognizing their inferiority, the pro-impeachment candidates intensified their attacks on the anti-impeachment faction to capture the support of the moderate conservative voter base. They judged that there was a group still undecided about the appropriate candidate for party leader, as the 'no response' rate in the opinion polls reached 30%. However, the voting turnout among party electorates during the convention was only 44.39% (33,4272 out of 753,076), ultimately failing to draw the votes of the moderate conservative base.
Given the fierce competition between the pro-impeachment and anti-impeachment candidates throughout the primary period, there is a significant possibility that intra-party conflicts will continue after the convention. Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Park Ji-won noted on CBS radio on the 21st that if an anti-impeachment candidate becomes the party leader, the People Power Party will "100% split."
Even within the People Power Party, discussions of a 'split' are frequently mentioned. Candidate Jo Kyung-tae appeared on YTN radio on the 20th and responded to Jang Dong-hyuk's statement about granting a nomination for the by-election to Jeon Han-gil, saying, "It would be better to go out and form an extreme right party or to go out and create a different living situation." Ahn Cheol-soo also stated, "I cannot agree with (Jeon's nomination)," adding that "it would be much better for such a person to go out and form a party with those who share the same opinion and engage in activities there."
A lawmaker from the People Power Party said, "If the dispute over Jeon Han-gil continues after the party convention, intra-party fractures could worsen," and noted that "what the reformists choose to do seems important."
Lee Jun-han, a professor of political science and diplomacy at the University of Incheon, remarked, "It is clear that the candidates feel that living together is difficult due to the differing evaluations of former President Yoon Suk-yeol," adding that "this seems to lead to interpretations suggesting a split or departure from the party."
However, the professor predicted that an immediate split would not be easy. He said, "Even after a split, it is not easy to consolidate power, so the practicality does not seem high," and added, "While the position of reformists may shrink after the party convention, I believe that surviving until the end of this National Assembly term is currently the most important thing, so there is a high likelihood that it will continue."