Kim Moon Soo Gains Prominence in June 3 Local Elections as Jang Dong-hyeok Keeps Low Profile

Ahead of the June 3 local elections, People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok has kept a low profile, avoiding regional campaign events, as former Labor Minister Kim Moon Soo’s presence has grown.

With People Power Party candidates for metropolitan and provincial governor and mayor posts in Busan, Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province (TK), Gangwon and other areas asking Kim to serve as campaign chair, Jang has appeared to step back.

Jang on April 29 announced regional economy and livelihood pledges at the National Assembly. “We will energize local economies so people’s lives improve,” he said, proposing steps including narrowing the housing market gap between the Seoul area and the rest of the country, introducing a production-boosting tax system described as a “Korean version of the IRA,” building a safety net for small-business succession, and cutting road occupancy fees.

Later, he met with young people at a cafe in Seoul’s Seodaemun district for a discussion on everyday policy proposals. “Young people have stronger capabilities than any generation before them, but the stage to show them is narrow,” Jang said. He added that the party would “be reborn as a true youth party” where young people’s voices reach policymakers first and quickly become policy. The moves were seen as a minimal return to policy messaging after a recent controversy over a U.S. trip subsided.

Kim, the party’s presidential candidate last year, has been taking on a larger role as candidates turn to him rather than Jang for campaign leadership. Kim is currently serving as honorary campaign chair for five election camps: the Busan, Daegu and Sejong mayoral races and the North Gyeongsang and Gangwon gubernatorial races.

The decision to put Kim at the forefront has been interpreted as an effort to rally conservative voters. Rep. Jung Sung-kook, a lawmaker aligned with Han Dong-hoon, said on SBS radio that Kim’s broader appeal than Jang’s appeared to be a factor. “It seems there is a judgment that bringing in Kim, who has a wider spectrum than Jang, will help the election,” Jung said.

A party official also said local elections typically draw lower turnout, making it difficult to bring disappointed conservative supporters to the polls, which is why candidates appear to be calling on Kim.