PPP picks four candidates to run for party leader

▲ This photo, provided by the ruling People Power Party on Feb. 10, 2023, shows the final candidates for an upcoming national convention to pick a new party leader. They are Reps. Kim Gi-hyeon (L), Ahn Cheol-soo (2nd from L), Chun Ha-ram (2nd from R), an attorney affiliated with ousted chair Lee Jun-seok, and former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

ruling party-leadership race

PPP picks four candidates to run for party leader

By Lee Minji

SEOUL, Feb. 10 (Yonhap) -- The ruling People Power Party (PPP) shortlisted the top four contenders in the race for party leader Friday, including front-runners Reps. Kim Gi-hyeon and Ahn Cheol-soo.

In addition to the two, Chun Ha-ram, a lawyer considered close to ousted chair Lee Jun-seok, and former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn were selected, the party's election committee announced.

They were chosen among six registered candidates in a vote of 6,000 paying party members conducted Wednesday and Thursday. The committee did not disclose the individual rankings and ratings of the candidates on concerns the figures may affect the final election.

Reps. Cho Kyung-tae and Yoon Sang-hyun did not make the cut.

The upcoming race carries added significance as the new leader will be tasked to lead the party to win a majority in the parliament, now controlled by the main opposition Democratic Party that has railroaded motions opposed by the ruling party, such as the dismissal and impeachment of Cabinet members.

The office of President Yoon Suk Yeol is also closely watching the race as it wants a Yoon loyalist to lead the party and help push his agenda in the National Assembly in the remainder of his five-year term until 2027.

Yoon's office is widely believed to be backing Kim.

Starting Monday, the final candidates will kick off campaign speeches across the nation and take part in four rounds of televised debates.

The party will hold a runoff if none wins a majority and announce the results on March 12.

This is the first election in the ruling party that will be held only by the vote of party members, raising the view that whomever Yoon supports will increasingly become a key point in the race.

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