Prominent lawmaker close to president gives up reelection bid

Rep. Chang Je-won of the ruling People Power Party who is better known as President Yoon Suk Yeol’s close aide bows after holding a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday, to announce that he will not run in April's general elections. Yonhap

Chang Je-won, a three-term lawmaker known as a key member of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s inner circle, said on Tuesday that he decided to forgo a reelection bid in line with the ruling party's efforts for reform.

Speaking at a press conference at the National Assembly, Chang said the success of the Yoon administration depends on the results of the April 10 general elections and added that he will try his best to help the People Power Party (PPP) win as an ordinary member without a parliamentary seat.

"There is nothing more important than the success of the Yoon administration. Winning the election is the minimum condition for its success," he said.

"My heart aches, not because of my desire for the lawmaker seat or political career, but because I feel sorry for the residents in Sasang District (his constituency in Busan) who have always been supportive," he added.

The announcement comes amid faltering efforts ― and hopes ― to improve the party’s image ahead of the crucial elections that it must win in order to achieve substantial and lasting reforms the president promised. Since taking power in May 2022, all major bills proposed by the PPP have been blocked by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the main opposition party that holds a majority in the Assembly.

After little progress was made under a reform committee, led by a naturalized Korean physician, many have expressed skepticism over the PPP’s chances of winning in the upcoming elections. But with Chang’s decision, the efforts for reform have now gained some traction, experts said.

“His departure, which is symbolic, will increase pressure on the so-called PPP establishment and lead many to follow suit. Given his political influence and relationship with Yoon, there would be a ripple effect,” Cho Jin-man, a politics professor at Duksung Women’s University, told The Korea Times.

In its key proposal, the reform committee urged senior lawmakers and Yoon’s former aides to give up reelection bids or run in swing districts instead of the PPP’s traditional strongholds. Ihn Yo-han, who had led the committee, said such steps were necessary to demonstrate to the public the PPP’s will to change and make sacrifices.

Chang’s decision immediately put PPP leaders, including Chairman Kim Gi-hyeon and floor leader Yun Jae-ok, in a tough position where they must reassess their roles and make decisions about their own political future, said Lee Hyun-chool, a political science professor at Konkuk University.

Officials from the National Election Commission check documents at the registration desk for candidate hopefuls to run in April's general elections, at the commission building in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Speaking to reporters after Chang’s media conference, the PPP floor leader praised the lawmaker for “making a sacrifice for the success of the Yoon administration.” But he did not comment when asked whether he believes the party needs more people to make such sacrifices.

On the same day, the PPP chairman did not show up at his office. All his appointments, including a policy meeting with lawmakers, were canceled. Speculation abounds that he might be pondering a major decision on his own future.

Experts said, for the party as a whole, all this is good news, especially at a time when the rival camp is showing few signs of any positive reforms to attract swing voters.

“If the PPP can manage to keep its unity and recruit talented people during the nomination process, it may produce better results than currently estimated,” Lee said.

Recent surveys show neither party is in a clearly favorable position. A Gallup poll released on Friday shows the approval rating of the PPP was 35 percent, and the DPK was supported by 33 percent. The rate of those supporting neither party was 27 percent.

On Tuesday, the National Election Commission began to accept prospective candidates' registrations for their preliminary candidacies, until the official candidate registration opens on March 21.

The preliminary registration system was adopted to give new politicians a chance to promote themselves before the official campaign period. After registration, candidate hopefuls are allowed to engage in limited campaign activities, including setting up an election office and hiring up to three paid staffers.