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Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, speaks during a rally in front of the National Assembly on Nov. 12 calling for the recovery of 7.4 trillion won from the Daejang-dong group and condemning alleged pressure behind prosecutors’ decision to forgo an appeal. / Source: Song Ui-ju

Leaders of the People Power Party (PPP) and heads of metropolitan governments gathered to pledge victory in next June’s local elections. Arguing that the Democratic Party now controls both the executive and legislative branches, they framed the elections as an opportunity for voters to “judge the administration” and restore political balance, while mobilizing their core supporters.

At a joint meeting of the party’s Local Election Planning Task Force and PPP-affiliated metropolitan leaders held at party headquarters in Yeouido on Nov. 12, PPP leader Jang Dong-hyuk referenced the controversy over prosecutors’ decision to drop the Daejang-dong appeal. “It reminds us of how crucial next year’s elections are,” he said. “We must pool our wisdom to ensure victory.”

Jang intensified his rhetoric by likening President Lee Jae-myung to a “dictator,” calling the local elections the “final defensive line.” His recent comments invoking a “second founding war” are widely seen as an attempt to consolidate the party’s base ahead of the elections.

PPP floor leader Song Eon-seok also criticized the government’s tariff negotiations and Oct. 15 real estate policy, saying they “expose the true face of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the Democratic Party.” He called for a “stern judgment” by the public on what he described as governance failures.

PPP-affiliated metropolitan mayors and governors echoed the criticism. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, responding to intensified scrutiny from Democratic Party lawmakers, said, “They have launched a reckless campaign to ‘take down Oh Se-hoon’ by attacking Seoul city policies. Any attempt to shake the rule of law and local autonomy for political gain will ultimately return as the people’s judgment.” Busan Mayor Park Heong-joon warned that if the PPP were to lose all positions in next year’s local elections, “the state capture crisis would only deepen.”

Na Kyung-won, who chairs the Local Election Planning Task Force, stressed the need for highly capable candidates, saying the party needs “fighters.” During the meeting, participants reached consensus on expanding candidate recruitment, developing youth-focused policies, and strengthening party organization and outreach.

Speaking to reporters after a closed-door session, Na said, “We need to recruit more outstanding talent,” noting that both external and internal candidates should be considered. She added that the party agreed on broadening opportunities for young people to engage in party activities and developing policies tailored to younger generations. “We will listen widely and deeply through on-site consultations and reflect those voices in our planning for next year’s elections,” she said.