Kim Sang-wook, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, pressured by defections from within the party, noted on the 7th, "As long as I believe that the People Power Party has the potential to pursue healthy conservative politics, I have no intention of defecting."
On this day, Kim issued a statement saying, "I still believe that the People Power Party can function as a traditional conservative party committed to healthy conservative politics. I trust the party constitution, its history, and many healthy supporters," he stated.
Kim said, "My decision regarding defection will be based on my free will and decision, and will not be subject to the pressure or persuasion of others," adding, "The public opinion and ostracism that compel defection themselves constitute a violation of free will, as well as a display of anti-intellectualism and anti-democracy."
He continued, "However, if despite my earnest efforts, the People Power Party reaches an extreme situation where it can no longer pursue healthy conservative politics, I will contemplate according to my free will," adding, "I hope such a moment of contemplation will not come."
Kim stated, "There may be differences between my views and the majority opinion of the People Power Party, but I believe there is nothing that constitutes a violation of the spirit of democracy as stipulated in the party constitution," and noted, "The People Power Party chose 'loyal opposition' and 'honorable disobedience' as dictated by the party constitution." He added, "I have never betrayed the party nor has my intention for the party been contaminated. Rather, I believe that some forces, including former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who acted in clear violation of the party constitution, have harmed the party."
Kim remarked, "With the Constitutional Court confirming unanimously that former President Yoon's actions were unconstitutional and illegal, the People Power Party must sincerely apologize to the public for not leading the recovery of democracy and should pursue the values of a traditional conservative party from now on."
Previously, on the 4th, the day of former President Yoon's impeachment, voices emerged in the group chat of People Power Party lawmakers calling for disciplinary action against Kim for suggesting attendance at a rally supporting impeachment and designating that day as a national holiday. Lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun criticized in the group chat, "Only you pretend to be righteous," while lawmaker Kang Min-guk demanded discipline at a general meeting, saying, "How can Jo Kyung-tae and Kim Sang-wook go together when they know the party's position like a feather?"