PPP turmoil deepens ahead of local elections as nomination chief quits

Lee Jung-hyun, head of the People Power Party’s nomination committee, speaks with reporters at the party’s headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, Thursday, a day before quitting the position. Yonhap

Internal turmoil within the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is intensifying ahead of the June 3 local elections, as the chief of its nomination committee suddenly quit and the confrontation between party leader Jang Dong-hyeok and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is escalating.

While the party is still dealing with internal disputes surrounding its ties with ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, fresh turbulence is threatening to disrupt preparations for the key elections.

Lee Jung-hyun, who had been overseeing the party’s nomination process for the upcoming elections, announced his resignation Friday, saying he could no longer carry out the vision he sought to pursue during the selection process.

“In the course of this nomination process, I strongly felt the need for change and reform, and I have tried to do my best in the role entrusted to me,” Lee said in a statement. “However, as I respected various opinions, I concluded that it had become difficult to push forward the direction I had envisioned. Taking full responsibility, I will step down from my position as chairman of the nomination committee.”

Lee’s resignation came less than a month after his appointment to the position, which acts as a nomination control tower responsible for selecting hundreds of candidates nationwide.

His departure comes at a time of escalating tensions within the conservative party over the direction of the party and the nomination process for key mayoral races, particularly in Seoul, Busan and Daegu.

The conflict has been further fueled by Oh’s decision to withhold his registration for the PPP’s Seoul mayoral primary, despite the party’s extension of the candidate application period.

Oh has argued that the party must demonstrate clearer signs of reform. He also called for the early launch of a revamped election campaign leadership structure, a move widely interpreted as a demand that Jang step back from the forefront of the campaign.

Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party, answers questions from reporters while heading to a meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

“There needs to be at least some sign that change is underway before I can register,” Oh told reporters.

Despite boycotting registration, he stressed that he has no intention of running as an independent candidate, putting pressure on leadership to reform so he can run under the PPP’s ticket. Oh, as the current mayor, would be the strongest contender among all primary candidates.

Despite the continued pressure, however, party leadership has shown little willingness to meet his demands.

Jang, speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, criticized the situation and stressed that the nomination process must remain fair.

“Fairness is the lifeblood of nominations,” he said regarding extending the registration period for Oh.

The standoff has exposed divisions within the PPP, with party officials increasingly worried about its impact on election prospects.

Political commentator Yoon Tae-gon pointed out that the PPP was already struggling to field candidates in other major cities and provinces, and called Lee’s resignation “another setback” for the party.

“What Oh is raising is not a nomination issue, but rather a question about the party’s direction,” Yoon added.