Kweon Seong-dong, the People Power Party floor leader, said on the 25th, "We have reached today's situation because we failed to maintain a horizontal relationship between the party and the government and it has become a vertical relationship. As a member of the leadership, I feel deep responsibility for not being able to build a healthy party-government relationship."
After the party's floor policy meeting on that morning, the floor leader met with reporters and when asked the day before (24th) whether the remarks made by Yoon Hee-sook, head of the Yeouido Institute, regarding the party's platform and policy broadcasting were the party's position, he replied as such.
He said, "Regardless of whether (Yoon's speech) is an official position, we have already disappointed the public regarding the declaration of a state of emergency, and both the committee chair and I apologized for that," and added, "I understand that this was emphasized and reflected in the speech."
He emphasized, "The overall intention of Yoon's remarks is that the lack of communication between the party and the government has led to the current situation, and additionally, the Democratic Party's oppressive and unconstitutional abuse of legislative power has caused today's situation."
Regarding whether he agrees with Yoon's criticisms of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, he responded, "Rather than criticizing or pointing out specific individuals, I believe most party members and the public acknowledge that we have lacked communication in the party-government relationship and have failed to build a horizontal and healthy party-government relationship."
In the speech, Yoon said, "I don't know what we won, but what remains in the party is deep frustration and the public's neglect," pointing out the message that former President Yoon left to his supporters after his impeachment.
The floor leader showed a positive stance regarding Yoon's suggestion that "the next president must be a 'three-year president' who corrects this abnormal crisis and immediately steps down."
He stated, "Because the presidential election, local elections, and general elections operate separately, the public is very concerned about election fatigue and post-election aftermath. Therefore, this president has the duty to reduce the elections. I think if someone who wishes to become president proposes to shorten the term through constitutional amendment and promises to reduce the elections, it would earn great applause from the public."
However, regarding the proposal to form a national unity cabinet immediately upon taking office, he questioned, "Isn't that contrary to responsible politics?"
Earlier, in the past party platform and policy broadcast, Yoon stated, "Politics that lines up with power has led to disastrous outcomes such as a state of emergency," and added, "The People Power Party is currently deeply regretting this. We sincerely apologize to the public." He noted, "Because the party was seen as easy, the president probably did not inform the party in advance about the state of emergency plan," and stated, "Had we known, many within the party would have rushed to Yongsan to resolutely stop it."
It is, in fact, the first time that the party leadership has apologized directly for the state of the emergency and impeachment situation. It has been said that there was no prior consultation with the People Power Party leadership regarding the content of Yoon's speech. However, the floor leader's expression of agreement with former Chairman Yoon's speech is interpreted as a reflection of the intention to clearly apologize for the state of emergency and impeachment situation ahead of the June 3 early presidential election and to consider reestablishing the relationship with former President Yoon.