People Power Party Struggles to Find Gyeonggi Governor Candidate
The People Power Party, facing difficulty selecting a candidate for governor of Gyeonggi Province, has continued outreach efforts to recruit former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min. Yoo, however, has reportedly remained firm in his decision not to run.
On the 27th, party leader Jang Dong-hyuk and Yoo both attended the West Sea Defense Day ceremony at the National Daejeon Cemetery and spoke briefly at the event. According to aides, Jang suggested, "I'd like to meet with you," but Yoo replied, "My position hasn't changed," reiterating that he has no intention of entering the race.
Party leadership has intensified its recruitment efforts in recent days. In a broadcast interview the previous day, Jang said he would "keep several options open" regarding the Gyeonggi gubernatorial contest, and party officials have reportedly contacted Yoo both directly and indirectly. Lee Jeong-hyun, chair of the nominations committee, is also said to have reached out to ask him to run.
Lee referenced a "three-pronged Greater Seoul strategy," saying, "Gyeonggi now requires the decisive leadership of someone who has shaped national economic policy," a remark observers interpreted as directed at Yoo, an economist and former KDI official.
The emphasis on a so-called "Yoo Seung-min role" appears influenced by the Democratic Party's primary dynamics in Gyeonggi. Within the party, some believe Yoo—who can attract centrist voters—would be competitive against a hardline Democratic nominee.
To date, figures such as Supreme Council member Yang Hyang-ja and former lawmaker Ham Jin-gyu have applied for the nomination, but party officials have expressed concerns about their viability in the general election.
Yoo's camp, nonetheless, stresses that his stance remains unchanged. A close aide said, "His position hasn't changed."
Still, some within the party have not entirely closed the door. "There is time before the Democratic candidate is finalized, so there remains room for further persuasion," one official said. Lee also underscored a cautious approach to selection, noting, "It is more important to enhance the candidate's readiness than to rush the choice."
