Chairperson Kwon Young-se of the People Power Party said on the 7th, “We will respond harshly to any acts that may occur during the presidential election process,” indicating a focus on lawmaker Kim Sang-wook, who has asserted support for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Chairperson Kwon made this remark at a closed session of the emergency response meeting held at the National Assembly, according to Spokesperson Shin Dong-wook.
Regarding the specific scope of the related acts, Spokesperson Shin stated, “Making remarks that publicly contradict the party’s official stance or openly criticizing the presidential candidate after a candidate has been decided in the party’s presidential election process is considered a related act.” Chairperson Kwon's “severe response to related acts” appears to be a response to demands for disciplinary action against Lawmaker Kim within the party.
Earlier, within a Telegram group chat of People Power Party lawmakers, demands arose to discipline Lawmaker Kim, who attended an impeachment support rally on the 4th, the day former President Yoon was ousted, and suggested designating that day as a national holiday. Lawmaker Kang Min-guk stated at a general meeting the previous day, “How can we proceed together when lawmakers Jo Kyung-tae and Kim Sang-wook disregard the party line?” Accordingly, the general meeting decided to delegate the matter of some lawmakers, including Kim, to the party leadership.
Spokesperson Shin noted, “There were some who argued at the general meeting that we should discipline Lawmaker Kim immediately, while others raised objections about whether it was necessary given the upcoming presidential election. If 100 lawmakers demand disciplinary action against Kim, we would have to do so, but that is not the case,” adding, “The Chairperson's comments are the conclusion of that deliberation.” Until now, it has been interpreted as a warning that even if no disciplinary action is taken regarding acts and remarks during the impeachment process, actions deemed related in the future may result in disciplinary measures.
Earlier, Lawmaker Kim said in an interview with SBS Radio, “(Former President Yoon) directly undermined the values of conservatism and openly denied the party constitution,” arguing, “So why am I the one facing discipline? My actions did not violate the party constitution.” He then asserted that former President Yoon should be expelled from the party.
Lawmaker Kim stated, “The party line must align with the party constitution to be legitimate. That constitution calls for upholding democracy, yet the president has destroyed democracy,” adding, “Disciplining the former president would signal that the party is getting back on track and serve as an apology to the public through action.”
The People Power Party is expected to discuss whether Kim's remarks qualify as related acts and reach a conclusion.
On that day, there were no mentions concerning the expulsion of former President Yoon or the re-establishment of relationships in the emergency committee. However, Spokesperson Shin stated that demands to sever ties with former President Yoon are not reflective of the mainstream mood within the party. Shin noted, “We need to consider how public opinion and supporters' sentiments are flowing, and if there are decisions to be made, we should judge then. Former President Yoon likely has his own thoughts on the matter.”
Additionally, regarding Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's movement to advance the 'transfer of the capital to Sejong' as a key campaign promise for the presidential election, it was stated, “Now is not the time to react to each and every comment he makes,” adding, “The party’s policy direction and detailed aspects will be determined in the process of selecting the candidate later on.”
Regarding the accountability of the leadership raised in parts of the party, it was emphasized, “Chairperson Kwon Young-se took charge during the impeachment of the president and has since stepped down. Therefore, the responsibility lies with our party,” stating, “If we waste about ten days to elect a new leadership, we cannot hold the elections.”