The People Power Party (PPP) will begin its internal primaries for the June 3 local elections starting February 26.
The PPP's Nomination Management Committee held a plenary meeting on the 26th and decided to conduct primaries from February 26 to April 9.
Single-candidate nominations will be finalized by April 9, with final candidates for metropolitan and provincial governor positions confirmed by April 16, and metropolitan and basic-level council candidates by April 20.
The committee resolved to introduce a fully open audition system for highly competitive districts and young applicants during the nomination process.
Benefits will be provided through various methods, including priority placement for metropolitan council proportional representation seats based on rankings, to help candidates secure winnable positions.
Strategic district auditions targeting highly competitive areas will be conducted in regions with populations over 500,000 that fall under the committee's direct nomination jurisdiction, as well as in areas with smaller populations designated by the committee. Specific districts for open auditions will be determined after further deliberation.
"For priority recommendation district auditions, mayors and governors will also go through auditions in cases of intense competition," said Lee Jung-hyun, chairman of the PPP Nomination Management Committee.
Restrictions will also be placed on nomination eligibility. Incumbent metropolitan governors will not be permitted to run for basic-level executive positions, and sitting metropolitan council members cannot run for basic-level council seats.
For basic-level council nominations, individuals will be prevented from being nominated to the top-tier category with high election probability for three consecutive terms. For proportional representation seats at both metropolitan and basic levels, consecutive nominations for two terms will be prohibited to expand opportunities for new political entrants.
The committee plans to establish five disqualification criteria to exclude ineligible candidates from nominations entirely. These include misconduct using one's position such as abuse of power against staff, corrupt practices including nomination-related donations, abuse of administrative licensing authority and public official crimes, and the "four major misconducts" involving oneself, spouse, or children (sexual misconduct, hiring irregularities, college admission fraud, and military service evasion). Cases involving social controversies that contradict public sentiment and common sense are also included.
Bonus points for young candidates in primaries will be differentiated by age: 15 points for those under 30, 13 points for ages 31-40, and 10 points for those under 45.
Additional bonus points include 10 points for women, 10 points for severely disabled individuals, 7 points for mildly disabled individuals, 10 points for North Korean defectors and persons of merit, and 10 points for National Assembly aides and party staff with over 10 years of service.
Basic qualifications will be assessed through 32 questions across eight categories including party constitution and rules, and foreign affairs and security, with four questions per category. Applicants scoring 70 points or below will be barred from applying for metropolitan council proportional representation nominations.