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Main opposition party falls further into disarray as elections near

Published: 13 Mar. 2026, 18:20

People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyeok is seen at the National Assembly in Yeouido, western Seoul on March 13. [LIM HYUN-DONG]

The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) appears to be drifting deeper into turmoil ahead of the June 3 local elections as it still grapples with falling public support over the aftermath of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law bid, with the conservative party not making a clear declaration that it would fully sever ties with Yoon.

The internal rift widened this week with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon refusing to seek re-election as a PPP candidate, expressing dissatisfaction with party leader Jang Dong-hyeok's vague stance on calls to clearly distance the party from the imprisoned former president.

Oh, widely seen as the conservatives' top contender in the Seoul mayoral race, did not register for the PPP's candidacy within the extended deadline Thursday, urging the party leadership to establish a special committee tasked with overhauling the party and rebuilding public trust.

His move has exposed intensifying divisions within the conservative party, with some PPP lawmakers openly supporting his proposal.

“If Jang is not willing to accept the proposal for establishing the committee, he should leave the Seoul election race alone,” Rep. Kim Jae-sub said in an SBS radio interview.

A two-term PPP lawmaker also voiced concerns over the party's prospects in the upcoming election in a phone call with Yonhap News Agency, noting the ruling Democratic Party (DP) appears to have a strong contender “handpicked” by President Lee Jae Myung, in an apparent reference to Chong Won-o, former chief of the Seongdong district in Seoul, who recently stepped down to join the race.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon is seen at an elementary school in Seoul on March 13. [YONHAP]

PPP nomination committee chief Lee Jung-hyun also resigned earlier Friday, further complicating the party's preparations for the local elections.

Jang, however, has shown little signs of accepting Oh's proposal thus far. Earlier in the day, Jang hinted the party would not reopen the candidate application for Oh, saying the party nominations must be based on “fairness.”

In an apparent effort to recalibrate its political stance ahead of the elections, the PPP earlier this week adopted a resolution pledging to distance itself from Yoon and apologizing for the 2024 martial law declaration.

According to a survey by Gallup Korea released Friday, the approval rating for the PPP fell 1 percentage point to 20 percent, while that of the DP rose 1 percentage point to 47 percent, marking its highest level since Lee took office in June of last year.

Yonhap