PPP primaries lose momentum before local elections

Mar 10, 2026, 09:00 am

		0
Lee Jung-hyun, chair of the People Power Party’s nomination management committee, speaks during a press briefing at the party’s headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on March 9. /Yonhap News

The People Power Party’s primary races for the June 3 local elections are struggling to gain momentum, as candidate registrations show strong competition in traditional conservative strongholds but a shortage of contenders in key battleground regions.

According to the party’s nomination management committee, a total of 38 candidates applied for nominations in 14 metropolitan mayor and governor races during the application period from March 5 to March 8.

Competition was particularly intense in the conservative stronghold of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province. Nine candidates registered for the Daegu mayoral race and six applied for the North Gyeongsang governorship.

In contrast, the number of candidates was far smaller in strategically important regions such as the Seoul metropolitan area and the Chungcheong region.

Only three candidates applied for the Seoul mayoral primary: former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook, Lee Sang-kyu, head of the party’s Seongbuk-eul district organization, and Lee Seung-hyun, chief executive of Infac Korea and vice chairman of the Korea International Trade Association.

Several prominent figures opted not to run. Rep. Na Kyung-won and Supreme Council member Shin Dong-wook both declared they would not enter the race, while incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon did not submit an application, saying the party must first redefine its political direction.

The situation in Gyeonggi Province was similar, with only two candidates — Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja and former Korea Expressway Corporation President Ham Jin-kyu — registering for the race.

The lack of candidates in key regions has also complicated the party leadership’s plan to adopt a so-called “Korean Series-style primary,” a multi-stage nomination contest designed to attract public attention.

Lee Jung-hyun, chair of the party’s nomination management committee, had suggested a format in which incumbent local leaders would face challengers who advanced through preliminary rounds. However, with so few candidates in areas such as Seoul and Gyeonggi, it has become difficult to organize such a multi-stage contest.

Even in Daegu, where many candidates have applied, the format may not work because there is no incumbent mayor currently running.

In response, the nomination committee signaled it may reopen the application process to recruit additional candidates.

“We will keep the door open and accept additional applications if we determine that stronger candidates are needed,” Lee said during a press briefing at the party headquarters in Yeouido.

#People Power Party #local elections 2026 #mayoral primaries