PPP campaign in turmoil

Jan 05, 2022, 09:16 am

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The main opposition People Power Party’s presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol enters the party’s headquarters in Yeouido in Seoul on January 3, 2022./ Photographed by Lee Byung-hwa

AsiaToday reporters Lee Wook-jae & Lee Yoo-jin

Internal strife of the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) appears to have worsened after PPP campaign chief Kim Chong-in announced the surprise renewal of the election committee. As there are rumors that Kim would be excluded from the PPP election committee, PPP presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol is struggling to make a final decision on the reorganization of the committee. He is expected to make an announcement soon.

On Tuesday, Yoon maintained silence on how he plans to restructure the election committee. This comes in line with Kim’s previous announcement of a complete reform of the committee.

As the election committee’s top chief revealed to have excluded Yoon in announcing the restructuring of the committee, the presidential candidate was reported to be upset. Kim Yong-nam, the standing public affairs adviser to the election committee, expressed dissatisfaction, saying, “Kim announced a complete renewal of the committee without prior consultation with Yoon.” Kim agreed with some claims that it was Kim’s “coup”, saying, “It is partly true.” His remarks indicate that Yoon’s side is accepting that Kim’s announcement was an arbitrary decision or a “coup”.

As the discord between Yoon and his election campaign chief has come to the fore, some political observers said Kim may be excluded from the committee. However, when asked about Kim’s exclusion, a party official cautiously told AsiaToday that nothing has been decided.

Kim, who arrived at the party’s headquarters, dismissed the rumor that Yoon could exclude him from the committee, saying, “It has nothing to do with me.” He expressed dissatisfaction toward reporters asking about the exclusion, saying, “I’m sorry but it’s better not to ask such question.” He added that the results of Yoon’s final decision will come out soon. PPP secretary-general Kwon Seong-dong and other officials also kept silence about the restructuring, saying, “I have nothing to say.”

The key is whether or not Yoon accepts Kim’s proposal for a complete reorganization of the election committee and the establishment of the “election countermeasures headquarters.” If it is newly established, Kim would be able to review all of Yoon’s schedules and messages. If Yoon accepts Kim’s offer, the party’s election committee would be reestablished with minimum number of people. However, as there has been dispute between Yoon and Kim, Kim may be excluded from the committee.

#People Power Party #election committee #Yoon Suk-yeol #Kim Chong-in