As Lee Jung-hyun, the People Power Party nomination management committee chairperson, continued to stay out of public view for a second day, party leader Jang Dong-hyeok publicly urged a return.
On Mar. 14, Jang wrote on Facebook that "the chairperson's role is absolutely necessary for victory in this local election."
He added, "I recall the day I met the chairperson and asked to take on the post of nomination management committee chairperson," noting, "because this local election is so important, I was truly earnest."
Jang added, "Despite the chairperson's several refusals, I kept asking because it was that urgent," and "when we met again and you said, 'If there is anything I can do for victory in the local election, I will do anything,' I felt hope that we could try again."
He continued, "Lead the nomination committee again and complete innovative nominations. Please help safeguard Korea and the People Power Party from crisis."
The chairperson, a day earlier, said it would be difficult to push for change and innovation in the nomination process and announced an intention to step down, then went out of public view. It was reported the mobile phone was also turned off.