Sim to Lead People First Party
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Staff Reporter
Rep. Sim Dae-pyung of the People First Party (PFP) was chosen as its leader at a meeting of the party's top decision-making committee in Seoul Wednesday.
A former governor of South Chungcheong Province, Sim, 66, led the party as co-leader along with Rep. Shin Kook-hwan until late April.
Shin left the party on April 30 to join the move to create an alliance with lawmakers who deserted the pro-government Uri Party and are seeking to create a new party ahead of the December presidential election.
As party leader, Sim is scheduled to name key party post holders, including chief policymaker and secretary-general, on June 1.
During the committee meeting, PFP leaders made it clear that their party will field a candidate to run in the presidential race.
Sim joined the National Assembly after he won a by-election in April.
The election returns showed the PFP still enjoys considerable popularity among residents of South Chungcheong Province.
At a press conference held after the election, Sim said he could win more than 80 percent of votes in the province if he runs for the presidency.
The pro-government Uri Party and opposition parties have wooed the PFP to join their side in the coming presidential election.
Sim said people want change and pledged to play a role in bringing this to politics.
He also made it clear that the PFP will not join any possible alliance.
The PFP has five seats in the 299-member National Assembly.