Main opposition party falls further into disarray with local elections just 3 months away

▲ This composite file photo shows Jang Dong-hyeok (L), leader of the main opposition People Power Party, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. (Yonhap)

opposition party-politics

Main opposition party falls further into disarray with local elections just 3 months away

By Yi Wonju

SEOUL, March 13 (Yonhap) -- The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) is drifting deeper into turmoil ahead of the June 3 local elections as it still grapples with falling public support over the aftermath of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid, without a clear declaration that the conservative party would sever ties with Yoon.

The internal rift widened this week with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon refusing to seek reelection as the PPP candidate, expressing dissatisfaction with party leader Jang Dong-hyeok's vague stance on calls to clearly sever ties with Yoon.

Oh, widely seen as the conservatives' top contender in the Seoul mayoral race, did not register for the PPP's candidacy within the extended deadline Thursday, urging the party leadership to establish a special committee tasked with overhauling the party and rebuilding public trust.

His move has exposed intensifying divisions within the conservative party, with some PPP lawmakers openly supporting his proposal.

"If Jang is not willing to accept the proposal for establishing the committee, he should leave the Seoul election race alone," Rep. Kim Jae-sub said in an SBS radio interview.

A two-term PPP lawmaker also voiced concerns over the party's prospects in the upcoming election in a phone call with Yonhap News Agency, noting the ruling Democratic Party (DP) appears to have a strong contender "handpicked" by President Lee Jae Myung, in an apparent reference to Chong Won-o, former chief of the Seongdong district in Seoul who recently stepped down to join the race.

PPP nomination committee chief Lee Jung-hyun also resigned earlier Friday, further complicating the party's preparations for the local elections.

Jang, however, has shown little signs of accepting Oh's proposal so far. Earlier in the day, Jang hinted the party would not reopen the candidate application for Oh, saying the party nominations must be based on "fairness."

In an apparent effort to recalibrate its political stance ahead of the elections, the PPP earlier this week adopted a resolution pledging to distance itself from Yoon and apologizing for the 2024 martial law declaration.

According to a survey by Gallup Korea released Friday, the approval rating for the PPP fell 1 percentage point to 20 percent, while that of the DP rose 1 percentage point to 47 percent, marking its highest level since Lee took office in June last year.

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