On February 17, Park Soo-min, a first-term lawmaker from the People Power Party representing Gangnam in Seoul, declared her intention to run for mayor in the upcoming local elections. This announcement comes as current Mayor Oh Se-hoon has not registered as a candidate by the deadline, prompting discussions within the party about the necessity of a backup plan. During her press conference at the National Assembly, Park noted the urgency for Oh to register and emphasized that placing conditions on his registration is unreasonable.

In her remarks, Park called upon Oh Se-hoon to register for the candidacy, insisting that it is crucial for the party’s future. She expressed dissatisfaction with party leader Jang Dong-hyuk, urging a shift towards a more proactive approach that reflects the needs of the public. Park affirmed her commitment to submitting her candidacy application later that day, underscoring the competitive nature of the upcoming elections.

Park, who was recruited for her expertise in economic matters during the last general elections, also recently voiced the need for the People Power Party to apologize regarding past issues, indicating her broader desire for reform within the party. Deeming the current political climate as needing transformation, her candidacy aims not only to assert her political aspirations but also to advocate for a renewed vision for the party’s direction and its connection with the electorate.