Kim Young-hwan, the current governor of Chungbuk, expressed outrage after being excluded from the People Power Party's candidacy for the Chungbuk governor race. He questioned why the election is being influenced by Lee Jeong-hyun, the party's candidate selection committee chairman, who is from Jeolla Province, suggesting a lack of understanding of local sentiments. In a Facebook post, Kim accused the committee of engaging in 'trickster politics' by trying to promote Kim Soo-min, a former deputy governor from Chungbuk, as a candidate, placing the blame for his exclusion squarely on Lee and Kim Soo-min.

Lee Jeong-hyun defended the decision during a press briefing, stating that the exclusion was not merely an evaluation of Kim Young-hwan but signaled a necessary political change within the party. He indicated that the People Power Party needs to exhibit political innovation and transformation rather than remaining stagnant. In the wake of this decision, law enforcement also requested an arrest warrant for Kim, based on allegations that he accepted illegal payments from a businessman linked to local sports administration, which adds further complications to his political status.

During a press conference following his exclusion and the warrant request, Kim framed the situation as suspicious, noting the timing between the party's decision and the legal troubles. He expressed a willingness to continue his bid for election regardless of the circumstances, indicating he plans to file an injunction against the party’s decision. Meanwhile, Kim Soo-min moved ahead with his candidacy application for the People Power Party's nomination, potentially setting the stage for intense political rivalry in the upcoming elections.