People Power Party (PPP) leader Jang Dong-hyuk faces resistance from multiple district chapter chairs as he prepares for his first Seoul campaign support tour since the start of the official election period. The pushback reflects growing concerns within the party that visits from the leadership could backfire at a time when courting moderate voters has become a pressing challenge.
According to the PPP on the 25th, Jang will hit the campaign trail on the 26th, focusing on Seoul battlegrounds including Seongdong, Mapo, and Gangseo districts. This marks Jang's first Seoul support tour since the official campaign period began.
As word spread of the planned schedule, district chapter chairs in Mapo and Gangseo — areas slated for visits — have voiced concerns about hosting the party leadership. One district chapter chair's office said, "When we heard they were arranging a visit to our district, we told them not to come." Multiple district chapter chairs are reported to have conveyed concerns about the leadership's support tour through the Seoul city chapter.
A key Seoul city chapter official said, "In Gangseo, the district made it clear to the party that, due to strong local opposition, they would prefer he not come." The official added, "Candidates in other districts are also generally expressing reluctance and have voiced serious concerns to the city chapter."
Complaints have also surfaced that prior coordination was insufficient in arranging the leadership's schedule. Local schedules typically go through the central party, the city or provincial chapter, and the district chapters, but this time the schedule was conveyed late without sufficient prior consultation, according to officials on the ground. In particular, the walking campaign event at Gangseo's Nambu Alley Market was reportedly communicated without local officials' prior awareness. Some on the ground described the situation as "not typical."
In response, the party leadership said, "We are going at the request of the basic local government head candidate in the district." Unlike the district chapter chairs, district mayor candidates in the relevant areas reportedly did not raise objections to the leadership's visit.
As the trend of distancing from Jang spreads, particularly across the metropolitan area, the party leadership's concerns are deepening. Some interpret that if reluctance toward Jang becomes visible in Seoul — considered a barometer of moderate public sentiment — it could escalate into a leadership crisis. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon has also maintained distance from the party leadership during the local election period, continuing a two-track approach. Concerns are emerging within the party that if Seoul contenders continue to shy away from Jang, it could affect his standing within the party.
