Choi Su-jin of the People Power Party criticized the internal division, noting on the 8th, "Despite needing to identify the clear responsibility and reasons for the presidential election defeat within ourselves, we are only blaming each other, and the infighting continues incessantly."
Choi expressed this on Facebook, saying, "Without an accurate diagnosis of the disease, attempting only to remove symptoms has allowed larger issues to grow, and proper treatment has not been achieved."
This is the third 'relay of reflections' announced, following announcements by Bak Su-min and Choi Hyeong-du, both from the People Power Party.
Choi emphasized, "The treatment method is not to fall into self-deception, but to make judgments from the people's perspective and actively listen to their voices," adding, "The people's demands are simple: to protect the true values of conservatism through unity, nothing more."
Reflecting on the first year of the 22nd National Assembly with this awareness, Choi criticized, "Despite being the opposition, the Democratic Party of Korea holds a majority, operating standing committees unilaterally, rejecting dialogue and compromise, thus turning the National Assembly into a space of opposition-led dictatorship." Additionally, Choi noted, "By using the National Assembly Act and procedures as tools, reckless impeachments and unilateral budget cuts were executed, causing the operation of state affairs to be repeatedly stalled by the opposition's blockades, leading to a loss of strategy."
Reflecting on the sudden proclamation of martial law by former President Yoon, the passage of the impeachment bill in the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court's impeachment decision, and how swiftly these unfolded during the presidential election process, it was evaluated that "genuine reflection and reform were missing." During the election, controversies over candidate unification, the failure of the big tent strategy, and the failure to expand the centrist forces ultimately resulted in the transfer of power.
Choi noted, "The ruling party cannot evade responsibility by claiming ignorance of the martial law in advance," emphasizing the need to more actively convey the voices of the people, act as a partner in state affairs, and collaborate with the government in response to the opposition's unilateral dominance. Internally, failures to rationally coordinate diverse opinions have only repeated conflicts, failing to deliver a unified message to the public and to restore trust.
Additionally, while responding to the opposition's disregard for judicial procedures and violation of constitutional order, the People Power Party became trapped in the narrative of being complicit in insurrection. The election process also saw failures in the rational, anti-populism policies, big tent strategy focusing on corporate growth and market-oriented national development vision. Choi added, "Unification without reflection or self-sacrifice lacked momentum."
Choi emphasized, "The conservative party has led Korea's foundation, industrialization, and development, but now must prepare for 21st century Korea with policies that encompass rational communication, economic growth, fair wealth redistribution, sustainable welfare, and cross-generational and regional inclusivity."
He stated, "I will do my utmost to enable a rebirth into genuine conservatism in the near future."