Former Korea Communications Commission Chairperson Lee Jin-sook protested her exclusion from the Daegu mayoral primary on Wednesday, calling the decision "unacceptable."
In a statement released the same day, Lee said, "I cannot understand why the nomination management committee cut off the most competitive candidate when Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk held a joint meeting with 12 local lawmakers at the Daegu city party and said he would push for a 'citizen primary.'"
Citing four public opinion polls, she claimed she "ranked overwhelmingly first in all media surveys conducted on nine People Power Party Daegu mayoral primary candidates from last month through early March."
"The People Power Party must now more than ever make decisions that respect the will of the people and citizens to achieve results that protect liberal democracy in the upcoming local elections," Lee criticized.
"Together with Daegu citizens, I strongly urge the nomination committee to reconsider today's decision for victory in the June 3 local elections," she added.
Lee said she would "announce her position on her future course of action soon." Political observers inside and outside the party interpret this as leaving open the possibility of running as an independent candidate.