Chairperson Kwon Young-se of the People Power Party clarified on the 28th regarding media reports that he requested support from Jeong Dae-cheol, the Chairperson of the Republic of Korea Constitutional Society, for unification between Acting President Han Duck-soo and the People Power Party candidate, saying, "It was a request to actively gather those in the opposition who share our thoughts."
On that day, Chairperson Kwon met with reporters after an emergency response meeting at the National Assembly and spoke about the purpose of the call with Chairperson Jeong.
Chairperson Kwon noted, "If we gather the candidates and unify, it would increase our party's candidate's competitiveness," adding, "Rather than asking for help with the unification with Acting Han, there are people within the opposition who would like to support our party over Candidate Lee Jae-myung, and the intent was to get help for those individuals to gather."
He also said, "If I were to ask for help with unifying with Acting Han, I would do it directly; it wouldn't be discussed through (Chairperson Jeong)." When asked about communicating with Acting Han, he replied, "Almost never."
Earlier, Chairperson Kwon was reported to have called Chairperson Jeong on the 26th and said, "Please create a unification (with Acting Han)."
This was interpreted as a request for unification negotiations with the final candidate of the People Power Party if Acting Han, who is nearing a decision to run in the presidential election, officially announces his candidacy. In response, Chairperson Kwon clarified that the intent was not to specify unification with Acting Han, but rather to ask for efforts in establishing an "anti-Lee Jae-myung big tent" with opposition figures.
Some believe that Chairperson Kwon's remarks could undermine the neutrality of the primary within the party. With the voter polling and public opinion surveys ongoing for two days since the day before, it can be interpreted that the party leadership is secretly moving based on the premise of Acting Han's candidacy.
Han Dong-hoon, a candidate for the People Power Party presidential primary, pointed out during a visit to Hyeonchungsa in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do, that "the call between the emergency response chairperson and Chairperson Jeong is inappropriate." Candidate Han added, "It seems that those lacking confidence in winning keep changing their words and adding conditions. It doesn't look good to keep making such remarks during the process of the primary. Isn't that a defeatist attitude?"
In response, Chairperson Kwon said, "It would be good for opposition figures to come to our party to increase the competitiveness of the candidates. It's a neutral issue. It seems Candidate Han has rephrased what I said."
A source within the People Power Party stated, "Typically, during a presidential election phase, the party leadership requests and pleads with several individuals."