Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party who declared his intention to run for party leader, directly confronted his rival, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, on the 21st, asking, "Are you trying to become the 'pro-Cho' party leader?" He also appealed to party members for support in selecting a party leader candidate who can capture the metropolitan area, youth, and centrist voters.
On that day, Ahn held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication hall and criticized, "Yesterday, candidate Kim Moon-soo called innovation 'a self-destructive act that breaks the party.' He suggested that even those who defend Yoon Again, fraud allegations, and the 'Enlightenment' should be welcomed into the party." Ahn further stated, "A party that lost in the presidential election must show a different appearance from the past; otherwise, how can we win in the contest against President Lee Jae-myung?"
Former Minister Kim Moon-soo officially announced his candidacy for party leader the previous day, saying, "With Lee Jae-myung's one-man dictatorship, Korea is no longer a democratic republic. I will become the party leader and stop the reckless rule of the Lee Jae-myung administration."
At this event, former Minister Kim commented on the controversy surrounding Jeon Han-gil, a former history instructor joining the party, saying, "Jeon Han-gil has joined the party, and there is no issue with the joining procedure." He added, "We should accept anyone who joins unless there is a special problem." Jeon has been a prominent figure opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and advocating for election fraud theories. Some within the party strongly opposed Jeon's admission, suggesting it indicated that the party leadership would accept both anti-impeachment forces and conspiracy theorists.
Ahn aimed at the former minister, saying, "Next year's local elections will be held with the face of the party leader elected this time. How can a party leader who has regressed to the past hang up banners even in competitive regions like Seoul, the metropolitan area, Chungcheong, and Busan? How can he campaign?" Ahn added, "If we regress here, even if we become party leader, we will inevitably lose even more in next year's local elections."
He emphasized, "The severing of extremism and the return from abnormality to normalcy must start right at this moment. There is only one way to be re-selected by the people: 'a level of innovation that dismantles, a reform that transforms.'" He appealed, "That innovation and reform can only be achieved by the party members."
Earlier, on the 19th, Ahn reportedly shared concerns about the party's rightward shift regarding Jeon's admission during a meeting with former party leader Han. Ahn told reporters, "(During the meeting with Han) I mainly discussed the need for the party to undergo a significant innovation, and Han responded, 'I fully agree.'"
However, Ahn drew the line at any alliance with former party leader Han Dong-hoon, who is considered a front-runner for the party leadership. Ahn stated, "It has not been determined who will come out as the reformist. I understood that (former leader Han) has not yet decided whether to run or not." He added, "I do not have plans for an alliance."