PPP candidates keep distance from party leadership ahead of June 3 elections

Jang Dong-hyeok, left, leader of the People Power Party, and Rep. Kim Min-soo pose in front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington. Captured from Kim Jong-hyuk's Facebook

Candidates from the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) are distancing themselves from party leadership ahead of the June 3 local elections, as internal tensions deepen and criticism mounts over leader Jang Dong-hyeok’s recent trip to Washington D.C.

A growing number of mayoral and provincial candidates have called for the establishment of region-based campaign committees, effectively pursuing independent campaign structures rather than relying on the central party. The move reflects mounting concern that current leadership could hurt rather than help electoral prospects.

The trend is visible across key battleground regions. In the conservative stronghold of Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province, for example, there have been calls for a joint regional campaign committee to consolidate local support.

In Seoul, incumbent mayor Oh Se-hoon — who is expected to win the PPP’s mayoral primary on April 18 — is considering setting up his own campaign team, while Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok is also distancing himself from party leadership. In Busan, Mayor Park Heong-joon has signaled a similar approach, seeking to rely more on local networks than the central party.

The PPP continues to grapple with low approval ratings and lingering disputes over nominations. Many within the party say leadership has failed to offer clear direction at a critical moment, prompting candidates to act on their own.

A senior campaign official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the shift reflects growing distrust that goes beyond simple campaign tactics.

“In competitive districts, putting leadership front and center could actually hurt the campaign,” the official said.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon pauses during a press briefing on a project at City Hall in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

That distrust has deepened over Jang’s weeklong visit to the United States. Jang said he met with U.S. lawmakers, government officials and think tank experts during his five-day trip to Washington, but expected contacts with key figures close to U.S. President Donald Trump did not materialize. A planned meeting with Paula White, a close associate of Trump, also fell through, raising questions about the effectiveness of the trip.

Criticism from within the party was swift.

Kim Jong-hyuk, a former senior PPP official aligned with former party leader Han Dong-hoon, said he was “shocked” by Jang’s briefing on the trip, calling it lacking in substance.

“What remains is a single photo opportunity and a sigh from PPP candidates,” he said, referring to widely circulated images of Jang casually posing in front of the U.S. Capitol.

Former party strategist Shin Ji-ho was more blunt, describing the images as “bizarre” and accusing Jang of appearing as if he were “posing for a photo shoot” during a critical election period.

Party leadership sought to contain the damage. Senior spokesperson Choi Bo-yun said the trip should be understood as an effort to explain Korea’s domestic political developments to U.S. counterparts and to reinforce the Korea-U.S. alliance, adding, “There can be different perspectives in evaluating the visit.”

Jang Dong-hyeok, right, leader of the People Power Party (PPP), visits the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C., April 14. Courtesy of PPP

Jang himself defended the trip, saying it had produced “meaningful discussions,” although he declined to provide details.

“This is an important time not only for the party but for the country as a whole,” Jang said during a briefing with Korean correspondents in Washington, adding that he had met U.S. lawmakers and officials to discuss security and economic issues, including how the U.S. plans to handle the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, as well as broader regional issues involving North Korea and China.

Asked about the lack of specific outcomes, Jang said some details could not be disclosed, citing security concerns.