South Korea's PPP roiled by Seoul nomination turmoil ahead of local elections

Seoul’s main opposition party, the People Power Party (PPP), is roiled by internal upheaval as the nomination process for upcoming local elections unfolds. The party’s nomination committee chair, Lee Jung-hyun, abruptly expressed his intention to resign today, less than a month after he urged a party-wide turnover to address credibility concerns among incumbent governors who want to run again.

Lee’s comments on February 20 criticized incumbents who he said were willing to run without boosting their competitiveness, arguing that those who try to “use” the party should be weeded out in the current nomination round. His resignation today followed an emergency meeting about his move, and it left the PPP’s leadership facing renewed questions about its direction.

The tensions intersect with broader demands from within the party for personnel overhaul and a shift toward what has been framed as an “Innovation” or reform strategy. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has pressed for the creation of an “Innovation Support Committee” and suggested delaying the nomination process while such a reshaping is considered, even as he extended the nomination registration deadline without submitting his own candidacy.

Pressure over the party’s leadership has grown, with many calling for Chairman Jang Dong-hyuk to step back after his two-term leadership. Some PPP lawmakers have argued that the party should refresh its leadership in light of sliding support and internal disputes about the Seoul race, while others say the contest should be decided by members rather than by insiders.

In a sign of the disorder, Oh Se-hoon’s decision to miss the extended nomination deadline has fed the sense of chaos around the nomination process. Following Lee’s resignation, party insiders noted that Lee’s whereabouts were unclear—reports described his phone as turned off and contact with party colleagues as difficult, underscoring internal strains at a critical moment.

The episode comes amid weak public support for the PPP, as some polls show a widening gap with the ruling party. A Korea Gallup poll cited in coverage shows the Democratic Party ahead by a substantial margin, with PPP support around the low 20s, the party’s lowest level in recent memory. Analysts say the ongoing factional struggles could complicate the party’s ability to present a coherent policy platform ahead of elections that will determine control of major cities, including Seoul.

For international readers, the episode matters because Seoul’s leadership and the PPP’s ability to govern locally influence South Korea’s policy direction on key issues for the United States: economic policy, technology and infrastructure investment, defense posture and alliance management, and regional competitiveness. Local election outcomes can shape national debates on supply chains, housing, urban development, and foreign-policy signaling from Seoul during a pivotal period for U.S.-ROK cooperation.