Jang Dong-hyeok, leader of the People Power Party (center), speaks at a supreme council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 11th. [Yonhap News]

With the June 3rd local elections less than 20 days away, the People Power Party is accelerating the launch of its Central Election Management Committee, led by leader Jang Dong-hyeok.

Although concerns were raised at one point about Jang's participation in the committee potentially hindering its ability to attract moderate voters, as the weekend saw a clear trend of conservative consolidation, the party now appears to be focusing on Jang's leadership in forming the election committee.

"We will announce the Central Election Management Committee before candidate registration on Thursday or Friday," said Park Sung-hoon, chief spokesperson, meeting with reporters on the same day. "We are working to recruit individuals with broad appeal who can consolidate the conservative base and appeal to centrist and undecided voters."

He added, "In the past, party leaders have served as joint or standing election committee chairpersons, so I believe it will not deviate from that scope this time. It is important for the Central Election Management Committee to deliver a consistent message of attack against the opposition party nationwide, and the role of the party leader is indispensable."

Regarding Jang's involvement as a standing election committee chairperson, concerns have been raised within the party that it would not be beneficial for expanding support.

For a while, the party struggled to find a solution as internal factional conflicts intertwined with Jang's hardline conservative stance. Consequently, Jang focused on messages and policy announcements targeting the government, often staying in Seoul rather than attending regional events.

However, since last week, as support has recovered, particularly in the 'stronghold' of the Yeongnam region, Jang has reignited his on-site campaign efforts. He appears to be actively engaging not only in the role of a 'central spokesperson' but also in supporting election campaigns on the ground.

Jang is leading the process of selecting members for the Central Election Management Committee, prioritizing senior lawmakers and young individuals, and is expected to finalize the appointments and announce them by the middle of this week at the latest.

The People Power Party also plans to put the spotlight on the 'Special Prosecutor Bill on Investigation and Prosecution of Yoon Suk-yeol Government Allegations,' also known as the 'indictment cancellation' issue, which the ruling party is pursuing. This is based on the judgment that the backlash against the Democratic Party's pursuit of the special prosecutor is leading to conservative consolidation.

The People Power Party plans to establish a 'Prosecution Cancellation Response Task Force (TF)' within the Central Election Management Committee as an internal organization. It will focus on informing centrist and undecided voters about the illegitimacy of the special prosecutor bill, including external legal experts. The aim is to highlight the argument that the investigation into the alleged fabricated prosecution, the basis for introducing the special prosecutor, is ultimately an attempt by President Lee Jae-myung to 'erase his guilt' through the cancellation of indictments.

Joo Kwang-deok, preliminary candidate for Namyangju Mayor of the People Power Party, holds a press conference at the National Assembly Press Center on the 11th, urging leader Jang Dong-hyeok to step down to the second line, stating, "Please make a decision of life or death for the future of Korea and for victory in the local elections through conservative grand unity." [Yonhap News]

However, even with the inauguration of the Central Election Management Committee, there are still voices among candidates calling for 'Jang Dong-hyeok to step down to the second line.' Therefore, it is highly likely that the Central Election Management Committee will focus solely on delivering messages of attack against the opposition party, while candidates will primarily operate through their already established regional 'independent election committees.'

Oh Se-hoon, candidate for Seoul Mayor, has launched a 'Citizens' Election Committee' and appointed fellow party primary competitors Park Soo-min and Yoon Hee-sook, as well as Rep. Kim Jae-seop, as joint election committee chairpersons, and has placed party elders and senior lawmakers in the honorary advisor group.

The Seoul City Party has announced its separate plans, scheduling an election committee inauguration ceremony and a joint meeting of Seoul mayoral candidates at the People Power Party headquarters on the 12th, while Jang visits Chungbuk and Gyeongbuk provinces, indicating their separate agendas. The Seoul City Party notably did not invite the leadership to its victory rally on April 30th.

Yoo Jung-bok, candidate for Incheon Mayor, has appointed former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, and lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo as honorary election committee chairpersons.

Joo Kwang-deok, candidate for Namyangju Mayor, held a press conference at the National Assembly on the same day, criticizing the party for "repeatedly causing division instead of grand unity." He urged Jang to step down to the second line and called for the establishment of a 'Grand Unity Election Committee' led by individuals who can promote external expansion.

Joo added in a phone call with Yonhap News, "If there is no change in Leader Jang's position, I will not register my candidacy."

A key party official stated, "The Central Election Management Committee will emphasize the level of offensive messaging with a consistent message, while regional activities will be candidate-centric."