PPP shifts strategy to court young voters

Feb 12, 2026, 08:17 am

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Cho Jung-hoon, chair of the Talent Recruitment Committee of the People Power Party, answers reporters’ questions after the committee’s second meeting at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on Feb. 11. / Photo by Jang Ye-rim

The People Power Party (PPP) is making a strategic shift to broaden its support base by putting “youth” front and center. Just five days after launching its Talent Recruitment Committee, about 250 people had applied, many of them young applicants. The party plans to narrow the pool to 15 candidates for intensive screening and announce its first round of recruits shortly after the Lunar New Year holiday.

Cho Jung-hoon, chair of the Talent Recruitment Committee, said at the National Assembly on Feb. 11 that the committee had reviewed applicants with future-oriented careers in innovative and high-tech industries and selected 15 individuals for in-depth verification.

“We have completed a focused review of those who applied through last night since opening the public call last week,” Cho said. “We will finalize the detailed verification process during the Lunar New Year holiday and aim to announce the first group of recruited talents at our third meeting immediately after the holiday.”

According to Cho, more than 250 people applied between Feb. 6 and 10, including a significant number of young candidates. “The guiding principles of this recruitment drive are youth and the future,” he said. “We have placed particular emphasis on reviewing young applicants, and some of them are among the 15 selected for intensive screening.”

He added that the committee would work closely with the soon-to-be-launched Nomination Management Committee to recommend suitable candidates to the central party, including for strategic nominations.

The committee’s approach reflects party leader Jang Dong-hyuk’s intent to expand the party’s reach. Emphasizing “youth and the future,” the PPP has revamped its application process to appeal to younger generations. Applications are now accepted entirely online, and a blind screening system has been introduced.

A party official said, “Unlike in the past, all applications are being processed online. We have also adopted a blind screening process, even for recommendations, so we evaluate only the applicant’s competence and potential.”

The party is reportedly preparing a separate event to coincide with the announcement of its first batch of recruits after the Lunar New Year holiday.

Interest among young people appears to be growing. A party official noted that Cho’s office has been receiving more than 500 social media messages per day, with inquiries ranging from whether 19-year-olds can apply to whether overseas residents are eligible to participate.

Earlier, Jang Dong-hyuk pledged during a floor leader’s speech on Feb. 4 to “take the lead in opening the road to tomorrow,” unveiling a future-oriented vision centered on youth and newlywed couples. On the same day, he visited startup sites during a cross-country schedule from Daegu to Naju, expanding contact points with younger generations.

Cho emphasized, “We are focusing on recruiting talent that aligns with Chairman Jang’s principle that ‘youth is the future.’ We are reviewing not only young candidates but also those with innovative, high-tech and future-oriented careers and backgrounds.”

#People Power Party #Cho Jung-hoon #Jang Dong-hyuk #youth outreach #talent recruitment committee