Calls for Candidate Unification in Busan North District Amid Tensions

Jang Dong-hyuk, leader of the People Power Party, dismissed calls for candidate unification in the Busan North District by-election on May 15, stating, "It is not the behavior of a general preparing for battle to discuss unification before candidate registration is even complete." His comments come amid demands for unification between Park Min-sik, the party's candidate, and independent candidate Han Dong-hoon.

In a post on Facebook, Jang emphasized that "a mere calculation of votes does not align with conservative values." He asserted, "The People Power Party must win this local election, as we are the last bastion protecting South Korea's liberal democracy and the lives of our citizens. However, victory cannot be the sole objective. It cannot be the path to unification or victory itself."

He added, "Candidates nominated by the party must remember this. The issue of unification should follow the will of the party members and the party. If any conditions are attached to unification, it must be left to the party's decision in accordance with the members' wishes."

Earlier, Jin Jong-oh, a lawmaker aligned with Han Dong-hoon, urged the party leadership to pursue unification among opposition candidates in Busan North District. Jin stated on Facebook, "Unification is the only way to initiate conservative integration and rebuilding, responding to the demands of the public. If we stubbornly cling to meaningless competition without addressing the public's needs, we will inevitably be rejected by the people."

He pointed out that recent polls indicate about 65% of conservative voters in Busan North District support unification, yet the party leadership is ignoring this. Jin argued that unification is not a choice for a specific individual but a minimal responsibility to consolidate supporters' wishes and reduce political confusion.

He insisted, "We must start the first step toward a new conservatism in Busan North District to halt the reckless governance of the Lee Jae-myung administration. What is needed now is not silence but a decisive action. I urge the party leadership to actively pursue unification for conservative integration and rebuilding."

Tensions regarding candidate unification continue within and outside the party. Party member Cho Kwang-han stated on YTN Radio the previous day, "Han should yield to Park and quickly return to Seoul; that is the right answer." He suggested that if Han were to withdraw from the race to unify with Park, he would consider reinstating Han's party membership positively.

In response, former party member Kim Jong-hyuk remarked, "It seems the Yoon Again faction is flustered by Han's surprising performance in a three-way race in North District. After this local election, regardless of the outcome, the Yoon Again faction will politically collapse." He added, addressing Cho, "The one leading that collapse should be more concerned about their own future after the local elections rather than who to reinstate."