Next convention expected in April or August next year
Interest in the People Power Party's next leadership convention is growing following Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's acquittal in the appellate trial of a political funds law violation case. The development has ignited a contest for dominance within the conservative camp among PPP Chairman Jang Dong-hyeok, Oh and independent lawmaker Han Dong-hoon.
Political circles said Sunday that a growing view inside and outside the PPP holds that the next party convention will be held either shortly after the April by-elections next year or around August, when Jang's term expires.
Under the party's constitution and bylaws, if the incumbent party leader has more than six months of term remaining, a newly elected leader may only serve out that remainder. Starting in February next year — when Jang's remaining term falls below six months — the party may, if the leadership post becomes vacant, hold a convention directly without forming an emergency steering committee, allowing it to elect a leader with a full guaranteed term.
For that reason, observers say an early convention could be called if non-leadership factions intensify pressure on the current leadership to step down around the time of the April by-elections, or if Jang decides to seek a second term and acts on that decision. If Jang instead serves out his full two-year term, the convention is expected to be held around August next year.
The next party leader will wield candidate nomination authority for the 2028 general election, held ahead of the 2030 presidential election. Given that Jang, Oh and Han each differ in their support bases and political lines, observers say a direct or indirect clash among the three is all but inevitable.
Jang is widely expected to seek a second term. Han is seen carefully watching the timing of discussions on rejoining the party, with an emphasis on building a "reform conservative alliance." As for Oh, whose position as Seoul mayor limits a direct convention run, word is already circulating within the party that Oh could field a proxy candidate.
Oh was acquitted Friday in the appellate trial of a case in which Oh was charged with receiving polling data from political broker Myung Tae-kyun ahead of the 2021 Seoul mayoral by-election and having a supporter cover the costs. In the first trial, Oh had been sentenced to a fine of 10 million won ($7,490) — an amount that would have cost Oh the mayoral seat.
The Kim Keon Hee special prosecutor team, which investigated the case, filed an appeal Friday. The team argued that the appellate court had dismissed the credibility of Myung's testimony without clear reasoning or evaluation, and that guilt could be proven on the basis of objective grounds and other evidence.
park.jiyeong@heraldcorp.com
