People Power Party Appoints Hwang Woo-yeo As Election Chief

The People Power Party (PPP) is gearing up for the upcoming presidential election by establishing an election management committee, with Hwang Woo-yeo, the former chairman of the Emergency Response Committee, appointed as its head. This decision was announced on April 7, 2025, during a meeting of the Emergency Response Committee held at the National Assembly, where the resolution regarding the committee's composition was finalized.

Hwang Woo-yeo, 78, has an extensive political background, having served as a member of the National Assembly from the 15th to the 19th terms and as a former judge. His previous roles include being the floor leader of the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the PPP, during the Park Geun-hye administration, as well as holding the position of Minister of Social Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister of Education. His experience and familiarity with the party's internal dynamics were key factors in his selection.

Shin Dong-wook, the senior spokesperson for the PPP, highlighted that Hwang's long service to the party and his five-term tenure as a lawmaker from Incheon make him particularly suited to oversee the primary election process. "Fairness and objectivity are the most important aspects of managing the primary, and Hwang is well-versed in internal party affairs, which is crucial for this role," Shin explained.

In addition to Hwang, Lee Yang-soo, the chief of staff, has been appointed as the vice-chairman of the election management committee. The committee comprises nine members, including lawmakers Cho Eun-hee, Lee Sang-hui, Cho Ji-yeon, Park Jun-tae, former lawmaker Jeon Joo-hye, attorney Ho Joon-seok, Kim Chae-soo (the president of the Chung-Ang University Student Council), former Innovation Committee member Lee So-hee, and Park Geon-hee, the head of the Media Bureau.

This committee is being formed at a time when the PPP is transitioning to a full-fledged presidential campaign following the impeachment of former President Yoon Seok-yeol. The government has tentatively scheduled the presidential election for June 3, 2025, prompting the PPP to finalize candidate qualifications and the primary process swiftly.

During the same meeting, the party emphasized its commitment to handling any misconduct during the primary process with strict measures. Shin stated, "We will deal with any misconduct that may occur during the primary or presidential election process in a strict and harsh manner. To win the presidential election, we need unity and a unified mind among our party members and lawmakers. We hope that there will be no division or discord moving forward, and we urge self-restraint."

Furthermore, the party has established a principle that key party officials should not join the campaign teams of primary candidates while holding their party positions to maintain fairness in the election process. This policy aims to ensure that the primary elections are conducted without bias and that all candidates have an equal opportunity to compete.

Hwang Woo-yeo expressed his sense of responsibility regarding his new role. In a phone call with Yonhap News, he stated, "It is a challenging and difficult position, but I believe it is my duty to work together with the leadership to revive the party. I will support the selection of good candidates and ensure that we conduct a successful election."

The establishment of the election management committee marks a significant step for the PPP as it prepares for the presidential election. The committee's formation is seen as a crucial move to ensure that the party is organized and ready to face the electoral challenges ahead.

Moreover, the party's leadership is aware of the need to present a clear vision and policies to the electorate. During the meeting, Yoon Hee-suk, the chairman of the Policy Research Institute, delivered a presentation titled "Rebooting the Korean Economy: Moving Beyond the 1987 System to Create a New Framework." This discussion aimed to generate ideas on how to provide hope and a new vision for the future to the citizens.

As the PPP embarks on this journey toward the presidential election, the focus will be on unity, transparency, and the development of effective policies that resonate with the electorate. The party aims to learn from past experiences, particularly the recent electoral defeat in the by-elections, and to emerge stronger and more cohesive.

In summary, the People Power Party is taking decisive steps to prepare for the presidential election by appointing experienced leaders to manage the election process. With a focus on fairness and unity, the party hopes to regain the trust of the voters and present a strong candidacy in the upcoming election.