As local elections approach in South Korea, the People Power Party (PPP) is grappling with internal conflicts regarding candidate nominations. In Pohang, a group of PPP members called the 'Pohang Rectification Practice Group' issued a statement criticizing the party's decision to exclude potential candidates from consideration for the mayoral nomination. They argue that this move goes against the majority sentiment of local residents, especially since the candidates excluded were leading in local polls. The group raised concerns about alleged corruption linked to the candidacy of other candidates who were selected, questioning the transparency of the nomination process overall.

The backlash in Pohang is echoed in Ulsan, where the nomination process is similarly contested. The PPP's central party is directly managing the candidate nominations due to Ulsan's classification as a large city, which has added scrutiny to the selection process. Some local observers have noted the rumors of politicians favoring specific candidates early in the nomination process, potentially undermining the party's credibility. They also cited instances of favoritism linked to influential figures, including comments made by far-right YouTuber Ko Seong-guk regarding one of the nominated candidates, which further fuel allegations of political interference in the selection.

In light of these controversies, local residents and party members are demanding the PPP to clarify its nomination procedures and improve transparency to restore faith in the electoral process. The criticism suggests that unless the party addresses these issues, it risks alienating voters and damaging its image ahead of the critical local elections, which could have significant implications for the party's performance moving forward.