PPP Confirms 36 Vacant Local Chapters for First 'Party Member Direct Election,' Begins Application Process

The People Power Party (PPP) has finalized 36 vacant local party chapters where the so-called direct election by party members will be applied for the first time, and will begin the application process for chapter chairpersons starting tomorrow, September 2.

This organizational restructuring is the first to take place since the leadership under Party Leader Jang Dong-hyuk decided to introduce the direct election of local chapter chairpersons by party members.

The PPP's Organization Reinforcement Special Committee held a meeting at the party headquarters in Yeouido today and finalized the schedule for accepting applications for organizational committee chairpersons for the vacant chapters.

The target areas for the application process are 36 currently vacant spots out of the 254 local chapter chairperson positions nationwide whose terms expired last month.

By region, they include 5 in Seoul (Gwangjin A, Dongdaemun A, Jungnang B, Seongbuk B, and Gwanak A).

They also include 2 in Incheon (Gyeyang A and Seo-gu B), 10 in Gyeonggi Province (Seongnam Sujeong, Seongnam Jungwon, Pyeongtaek C, Ansan C, Namyangju B, Hanam B, Yongin A, Anseong, Gimpo B, and Hwaseong Jeong), 1 in Gangwon Province (Gangneung), 1 in Daejeon (Seo-gu B), 1 in North Chungcheong Province (Cheongju Seowon), 1 in South Chungcheong Province (Nonsan, Gyeryong, and Geumsan), 5 in North Jeolla Province (Jeonju A, Jeonju B, Iksan A, Gunsan, Gimje, and Buan B, and Wanju, Jinan, and Muju), 7 in South Jeolla Province and Gwangju (Buk-gu A, Buk-gu B, Mokpo, Yeosu A, Yeosu B, Suncheon, Gokseong, and Gurye A, and Haenam, Wando, and Jindo), 2 in South Gyeongsang Province (Changwon Seongsan and Gimhae B), and 1 in Jeju (Jeju A).

The Organization Reinforcement Special Committee decided to discuss 3 local chapters (Saha B in Busan, Dalseo C in Daegu, and Ulju in Ulsan) at a later date, taking into consideration that the appeal period has not yet expired for those whose chapter chairpersons have had their party membership rights suspended due to disciplinary action by the Central Ethics Committee.

The committee also plans to decide whether to designate 1 local chapter currently under suspended duties (Masan Happo in South Gyeongsang Province) as a vacant chapter after going through subsequent procedures such as meetings of the Ethics Committee and the Supreme Council.

The announcement for the selection of organizational committee chairpersons will begin tomorrow, and applications will be accepted from September 7 to 9.

Following the application deadline, the Organization Reinforcement Special Committee will conduct qualification reviews, including document screenings and interviews. If there are multiple applicants, they will be selected through a direct election by party members.

The remaining 214 local chapters with incumbent chairpersons are scheduled to be selected through steering committees using the existing method before September 15.

Secretary-General Jung stated during a briefing, "We plan to swiftly complete the selection process for organizational committee chairpersons to minimize operational vacuums in vacant local chapters and normalize local party organizations at an early stage."
 
(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.