The party leadership was vacant since 15 April 2020 following the resignation of Hwang Kyo-ahn on that day due to the party's crushing defeat in the 2020 election. Until the leadership election is held, there were 4 acting party presidents — Shim Jae-chul, Joo Ho-young, Kim Chong-in and Kim Gi-hyeon; all except Kim Chong-in were the parliamentary leaders. A new party president and vice presidents (including one representing youths) were elected in this election.
The UFP then ran for the general election along with its satellite partner, Future Korea Party (FKP). Nevertheless, the UFP-FKP alliance faced a disastrous defeat, with only securing 103 out of 300 seats.[6] Hwang Kyo-ahn, who contested for Jongno, lost to the Democratic candidate Lee Nak-yon.[7] Following the crushing defeat, Hwang made an announcement to resign as the party president.[8][9] As the party presidency was vacant, the parliamentary leader Shim Jae-chul became the acting president.[10]
However, as Shim also lost to Lee Jae-jung in his constituency, the party soon elected Joo Ho-young as the new parliamentary leader; he also automatically became the acting president on 8 May.[11][12] On 22 May, the party agreed to establish the Emergency Response Committee, led by Kim Chong-in, where the term was set until the by-elections on 7 April 2021.[13] On 28 May, the FKP was merged into the UFP, and was de-registered the next day.[14]
Change the party name
Under the leadership of Kim Chong-in, the party has decided to change its name to the People Power Party (PPP; Korean: 국민의힘) on 31 August, as a part of the renovation.[15][16][17][18] It has also requested the name change to the National Election Commission.[17] The name change was officially confirmed on 2 September.[19][20]
In the by-elections on 7 April 2021, the People Power Party (PPP) achieved an outright victory, where Oh Se-hoon and Park Heong-joon was elected the Mayor of Seoul and the Mayor of Busan respectively.[21] As the term of Kim Chong-in ended, Joo Ho-young returned as the acting president.[22] However, he announced his resignation on 16 April,[23] and remained until replaced by Kim Gi-hyeon on 30 April.[24]
On 10 May, Joo Ho-young, the MP for Suseong 1st, as well as the former interim President of the party, officially launched a bid for the leadership election.[27] He mentioned that he would lead a pan-opposition unity to win the 2022 presidential election.[27] He promised to make the party to practice freedom and justice, party to unite with centrists, party with a competent policy and authority, party that youths are participating, and an opened and communicating smart party.[27]
On 14 May, Kim Eun-hye, the MP for Bundang 1st, announced her campaign to become the President of the People Power Party (PPP) that was vacant following the resignation of Hwang Kyo-ahn.[28][29] She indicated that the party needs a "revolutionary change" to win the 2022 presidential election.[28][29] She promised to adopt a youth quota system for the party.[28][29]
On 21 May, a day before the nomination, Cho Hae-jin declared to run for vice presidency instead of presidency, stating that he was "not prepared to contest".[30][31] He, however, indicated that he would keep fulfilling his promises as a vice president should he is elected.[30][31]
Nomination and elimination
On 28 May, 5 candidates were formally confirmed as the final candidates, they are: Cho Kyoung-tae, Hong Moon-pyo, Joo Ho-young, Lee Jun-seok and Na Kyung-won.[32][33][34] Other 3 candidates — Kim Eun-hye, Kim Woong and Yoon Young-seok, were eliminated.[32][33][34]
MP for Suseong 1st (2020-) Acting President of the PPP (2021) Parliamentary leader of the UFP/PPP (2020-2021) Acting President of the UFP (2020) Acting President of the Bareun Party (2017) Parliamentary leader of the Bareun Party (2017) Minister for Special Affairs (2009-2010) MP for Suseong 2nd (2004-2020)
The following MPs announced that they would seek the leadership of the People Power Party but subsequently did not stand, withdrew from the race, or stood for vice presidency, due to insufficient support or other reasons:
17:00 — Nominations close,[67][68] and 8 presidential and 10 vice-presidential candidates were confirmed.[69]
26 May: Opinion pollings for pre-candidates start.[70][71]
27 May: Opinion pollings for pre-candidates are supposed to end and 3 to be eliminated on this day, but is postponed to the next day due to lack of samples.[72]
28 May: Opinion pollings for pre-candidates end. Kim Eun-hye, Kim Woong and Yoon Young-seok are eliminated.[32][33][34]
7 June: Electoral college ballots (mobile) begin.[66]
8 June: Electoral college ballots (mobile) close.[66]
9 June: Electoral college ballots (ARS) and non-member opinion polling begin.[66]
10 June: Electoral college ballots (ARS) and non-member opinion polling close.[66]
11 June: Result was announced; Lee Jun-seok was declared the new President of the party.[73][74]
Opinion polling
Post-nomination
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^Included in the polling, although he was not nominated.
Pre-nomination
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Turnout was 45.36%, the highest since 2011 (including the predecessor Grand National Party).[75]
Lee Jun-seok received the highest votes in the opinion polling (58.76%) and was elected the new president with total 93,392 votes (43.81%).[73][74] Na Kyung-won came behind of Lee with 79,161 votes (37.13%), although she received the highest votes among the electoral college, which is 61,077 votes (40.93%).[73][74]