The leadership of the People Power Party arranged a meeting on the 20th to gather feedback from experts inside and outside the party to expand its outreach after the impeachment crisis. At this meeting, there were remarks such as, "We need to change the image of opposing impeachment" and "A spirit of sacrifice is necessary."
The Strategy Planning Special Committee of the People Power Party held its second seminar on the theme 'Where should the People Power Party go?' at the National Assembly on the morning of the same day. Participants included Kweon Seong-dong, the emergency measures chairman, the floor leader, and other party leaders, as well as over 10 incumbent lawmakers, including Joo Ho-young, the vice chairperson of the National Assembly.
Shin Yul, a professor in the Department of Political Science and Diplomacy at Myongji University, who served as a presenter on the topic 'How should the People Power Party respond to the impeachment crisis?' noted that a task is to focus on changing the image of 'opposing impeachment' and securing the centrist vote in the face of an early presidential election.
The professor said, "I understand that the main opinion of the People Power Party is that 'the martial law was wrong, but we oppose impeachment,' and we need to consider how to change the party's image, which has opposed impeachment and made negative claims for two months (after impeachment is confirmed) in a short time."
He stated, "The image of a political party or politician is the result of the accumulation of time. It takes as much time as that accumulation to slowly change the image," and added, "The task is to show how to deal with the people."
The professor further emphasized that centrist approval ratings in various polls show that the People Power Party is lagging behind the Democratic Party, urging the party to think of a Plan B.
He noted, "Looking at the Korean Gallup poll, it appears that in the past seven presidential elections, the party with a high approval rating six months prior to the election won five times," and emphasized, "In a two-party system with a presidential system, the centrist vote plays a very important role." He added, "Currently, the image the People Power Party is projecting does not appeal to the centrist voters."
He said, "The strong (conservative) support base will vote for the People Power Party even if the world is divided," and suggested, "We need to explore how to change the current image to receive more positive responses from the centrist voters."
Park Eun-sik, the Commissioner of the People Power Party in Gwangju Dongnam-eul, pointed out that "a spirit of sacrifice is necessary." He stated, "The People Power Party is currently in a weaker position. We need to show more sacrifice," and added that "The agenda the People Power Party puts forward is clear, but the absence of speakers is regrettable."
He also emphasized, "In response to the Democratic Party's claim of just handing out 250,000 won, we need to assertively present agendas such as administrative district mergers, the unification of the administrative capital, and the consolidation of deficit airports and public hospitals."
He further stated, "The previous election was one in which various forces, from Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon to Professor Jin Joong-kwon, united as one," and emphasized the need to restore this unity. He noted that we should think of something on par with the DJP alliance, stressing the necessity of restoring the support base. Chairperson Park said, "We should embrace centrist figures, but we must continue the policies of the conservative right and achieve results through sacrifice."
Kweon, the Chairperson, noted in his opening remarks at the discussion, "I believe that when we become a more competent party, a more competent policy party, and a more flexible conservative party, the public will provide greater support."
Kweon, the floor leader, mentioned, "We need to consider how to provide dreams and hopes to future generations regarding the response measures in the impeachment crisis, as well as what visions and policies to pursue," and expressed his concerns and curiosity about whether the current direction has any significant appeal to the public. He vowed to lead the party well, relying on the wisdom of the two individuals.