Lee Jeong-hyun, chairman of the People Power Party’s (PPP) candidate nomination committee, announced on March 22 the full rejection of preliminary Daegu mayoral candidate Ju Ho-young’s housing and resident tax cut proposals during a candidate briefing.
The decision also endorses six additional candidates via aides: four-term lawmaker Yoon Jae-ok, three-term lawmaker Chu Kyung-ho, Yoo Young-ha, Choi Eun-seok, the full Daegu deputy mayor slate, and Hong Seok-joon.
Briefing Highlights Party Priorities
After the session at the party’s Yeouido headquarters in Seoul, Chairman Lee addressed reporters: “The candidate’s stance is evident—if Daegu stumbles, the entire party does. This briefing declares the president’s administration remains strong.”
The committee plans further cuts, targeting six more endorsements through aide briefings.
Focus on Proven Performers
Chairman Lee selected the six based on achievements in administration, economy, politics, cooperation, and business. “These aides—Yoo Young-ha, Yoon Jae-ok, I Jae-man, Chu Kyung-ho, Choi Eun-seok, and Hong Seok-joon—stand as central, realistic leaders for the future,” he stated.
Defending the rejections, he said: “They shield the president’s core from candidate pressures. Even as a direct power base, the mayor’s role demands broader protection of national governance from the National Assembly and government.”
He added: “Without capital expansion, the party cannot grow. Without party growth, the nation has no future. The capital’s realism and talent vetting produced only capable leadership.”
Estimates indicate large-scale screenings and preliminaries will yield up to two more endorsements, maximizing aide selections for the Daegu mayoral race.
