Seoul: The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) on Tuesday began a two-day preliminary race to short-list four candidates for the new leadership position, as it is still reeling from the aftermath of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law bid.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the four candidates will be decided from 50 percent of votes from the conservative party's members and another 50 percent from a public opinion survey, as confirmed by PPP officials. The result will be announced Thursday.
There are five contenders in the preliminary race -- former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo and Reps. Ahn Cheol-soo, Jang Dong-hyeok, Cho Kyung-tae, and Joo Jin-woo. Observers suggest that Kim and Jang, backed by strong conservative support, are likely to make it to the top four due to their opposition to the impeachment of the ousted Yoon and their prominent roles in criticizing President Lee Jae Myung during his presidential campaign with the Democratic Party.
Ahn and Cho, meanwhile, have been appealing more to moderate conservatives and centrist voters by highlighting the need for party reform. The PPP is scheduled to pick its next leader during a national convention on Aug. 22.