8 People Power Party candidates to vie for four spots in the first round of primary

Eight of 11 candidates registered to run for the ruling People Power Party's presidential candidate selection were confirmed Wednesday to vie for four spots in the next primary round ahead of the June 3 election.

The eight candidates include former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo; former People Power Party Chair Han Dong-hoon; former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo; Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok; North Gyeongsang Gov. Lee Cheol-woo; incumbent People Power Party lawmakers Na Kyung-won and Ahn Cheol-soo; and former People Power Party lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja.

The party’s election management committee, led by former five-term lawmaker Hwang Woo-yea, said they "thoroughly reviewed the applicants’ competitiveness and whether they were suitable (as the party’s candidate) on a standard based on the eyes of the people."

“We request the candidates who made it to the first primary round to make their best efforts to make the primary a festivity that reflects the people’s choices,” Hwang said during the party's candidate announcement ceremony at the National Assembly on Wednesday.

People Power Party spokesperson Ho Jun-seok explained that Wednesday’s decision was based on candidates' public reception and political experience.

The eight candidates will now enter a process involving a televised debate set for Saturday and Sunday, and a public survey set for Monday and Tuesday. The survey results will be a major factor in selecting four candidates to advance to the second primary round. The party plans to finalize its nomination on May 3 during its scheduled party convention.

Meanwhile, several conservative candidates were seen contacting incumbent Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, who announced Saturday that he would not seek the presidency this election.

Former Labor Minister Kim Moon-soo met with Oh early Wednesday, pledging to listen to the Seoul Mayor’s opinions when drafting his policy road map for the next government if he is elected.

Ex-Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo held a dinner meeting with Oh the previous day.

Observers pointed out that Oh’s popularity in recently conducted presidential polls has candidates attempting to win over the Seoul Mayor’s supporters.