Gov’t feud with PPP expands to proportional representation candidates
PPP leader calls on gov’t to be more open to public criticism
A feud between the government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) appears to be spreading to the party’s selection of proportional representation candidates, with figures close to President Yoon Suk Yeol complaining about perceived favoritism toward those aligned with the party’s interim leader Han Dong-hoon.
The party’s leadership is cautioning against expanding the feud, fearing it may hurt their chances in the election, but the ongoing situation appears to indicate a subtle power struggle between Yoon and Han.
The People Future Party, a satellite party of the PPP, announced on Monday a total of 35 proportional representation candidates for the April 10 general elections, a list that quickly drew criticism from party members loyal to Yoon.
“The party leadership should rectify [the candidate list], which has sidelined allies who dedicated themselves to the party by fighting against the [previous] Moon Jae-in administration in difficult times,” PPP Rep. Lee Chul-gyu wrote on Facebook, hours after the candidate roster was unveiled.
He specifically expressed dissatisfaction that Joo Ki-hwan, a prosecutor-turned-politician known to have close ties with Yoon, was ranked 24th on the list, a position that may not guarantee him a seat in the National Assembly. Joo withdrew his candidacy in protest of the perceived disadvantage.
Lee also complained that figures close to the PPP leader — Rep. Kim Ye-ji and Han Ji-ah, an associate professor at Eulji Medical School — were placed at No. 15 and No. 11, respectively, making it highly likely for them to secure seats.
The semi-mixed-member proportional representation system, which will be implemented in the upcoming election, assigns a portion of the seats based on party votes. Out of the total 300 legislative seats, 46 will be distributed through proportional representation, while the remaining 254 will be determined by direct votes in electoral constituencies.
Each party fixes the order of listing for proportional representation candidates, and winners are chosen in the sequence of their placement on the list. Thus, candidates listed closer to the top hold priority in securing seats.
Given the party’s current support rate, the PPP’s satellite party is expected to win about 20 seats through proportional representation, meaning that those listed within the top 20 are likely to make it to the Assembly.
In response to Lee’s criticism, the party leadership said the candidates were listed based on a fair process and refused to make any revisions to the roster.
“We received reports from those involved with the People Future Party that the nomination was made in consideration of various factors, including party regulations, and that there are no procedural issues,” PPP Secretary-General Rep. Jang Dong-hyeok told reporters Tuesday.
“Just because someone’s opinion was not taken into account, it does not seem appropriate to characterize the nomination as reflecting Han Dong-hoon’s personal views,” Jang said, dismissing speculation that Han’s opinions influenced the candidate list.
Another sign that displays the discord between the ruling party and the presidential office is former PPP member Jang Ye-chan’s decision to leave the party and run as an independent candidate in a constituency representing Busan’s Suyeong District.
Jang, who brands himself as Yoon’s No. 1 aide after serving as a member of his presidential transition committee, made the announcement on Monday, just days after the PPP canceled his nomination due to his inappropriate past remarks.
The young politician hinted at the possibility of support from the presidential office for his decision.
During a radio interview on Tuesday, Jang gave an ambiguous response to whether he had discussed the matter with Yoon’s office. “Whether it’s presidential officials or the party leadership, it seems inappropriate to delve into every detail of whom I’ve contacted or what discussions took place,” he said.
“It is up to listeners how to interpret what I have said.”
Tensions between the PPP and Yoon’s office came to the fore after Han criticized Yoon’s aides.
On Sunday, Han voiced criticism toward Lee Jong-sup, the newly appointed envoy to Australia who is under investigation over allegations of influence peddling in the military’s probe into the death of a Marine. The PPP leader insisted that Lee return to Korea promptly to face further investigations. However, the presidential office asserted that Lee’s appointment was “appropriate and just.”
Han also called on Hwang Sangmoo, senior presidential secretary for civil and social affairs, to decide whether to resign in response to criticism of his remarks that threatened press freedom.
The PPP leader reiterated his stance on Lee and Hwang on Tuesday, emphasizing the importance of being more receptive to public opinion ahead of the crucial elections.