The candidates for the People Power Party's leadership clashed head-on at the party's candidate vision competition held on the 3rd. There was a clear ideological divide between candidates who emphasized a tough struggle against lending and those who called for distancing from extremist factions and emphasized party reform.
At the vision competition held at the People Power Party's central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, five party leader candidates, including former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, who was the party's presidential candidate in the last 21st presidential election, as well as Jo Kyung-tae, Ahn Cheol-soo, Jang Dong-hyuk, and Joo Jin-woo, participated. They each spoke for 7 minutes, presenting different solutions regarding the party's direction and appealing to the party members' votes.
Candidate Kim Moon-soo began with high-intensity remarks, stating, "The party that should be dissolved now is the Democratic Party." He added, "The party that tries to intimidate the judiciary and dismantle the prosecution to avoid sending criminal Lee Jae-myung to prison and that seeks to undermine the rule of law is precisely the Democratic Party," and declared, "I will take the lead in the struggle against the trial of criminal Lee Jae-myung and the fight to prevent a special investigation into internal disorder."
Candidate Kim emphasized the need for unity in response to demands for reform from the conservative camp, saying, "Unity is innovation" and "We cannot win divided. Addition politics is necessary." He also stated, "I will conduct a vote by all party members on important party decisions and activate discussions," pledging to create a party centered around its members and unite their sentiments.
Candidate Jang also stated, "It is the people's solemn command that the trial of President Lee Jae-myung must continue," while emphasizing the party's fighting power against the ruling party, saying, "I will prevent outrageous special investigations and party dissolution."
Regarding party reform, promises included ▲ talent recruitment through a youth political school ▲ balanced personnel appointments ▲ significant reduction of entry barriers for political newcomers ▲ reform of the Yeouido Research Institute ▲ strengthening party members' rights. However, specific measures were not mentioned.
In particular, Candidate Jang stated, "Martial law does not equate to internal disorder. Opposing impeachment does not mean supporting martial law or internal disorder. Those who follow party doctrine and fight hard cannot be the subjects of innovation," clearly drawing the line against the key to the innovation plan proposed by Yoon Hee-sook, the party's innovation committee chair, which is 'personnel reform.'
On the other hand, candidates from the 'pro-impeachment' faction, who criticized martial law during the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol and supported impeachment, emphasized that internal reforms like personnel reform must happen first before rebuilding conservatism and fighting against lending.
Candidate Ahn criticized the current situation of the party from the start of his remarks, pointing out, "What is the vision of the People Power Party today and now? There is nothing. It is a blank slate." He criticized, "Having faced political bankruptcy after the 12·3 martial law and the 6.3 presidential election, we are a terminal patient needing immediate surgery, yet we are recklessly believing in natural healing."
Candidate Ahn mentioned the Yoon Again faction, Jeon Han-gil, who was at the forefront in supporting martial law, and the previous party leadership that led the 'candidate replacement crisis' during the presidential election. He emphasized that "rotten apples must be thrown away," stressing that distancing from extremist factions is the top priority. He promised to establish a youth party, enhance public sentiment in the selection of the party leader, and ensure that local government heads are elected 100% by party members.
Candidate Jo also stated, "The People Power Party is currently in a critical situation on the verge of dissolution," asserting that "When we demonstrate sincere reflection and accountability for past mistakes, the public's gaze will return to our party." He added, "To win in next year's local elections, we must firmly break away from conspiracy theorists of election fraud, followers of Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, and proponents of the Yoon Again movement."
As part of their pledges, they included ▲ strengthening party members' sovereignty in deciding nominations and policies ▲ establishing a committee for youth autonomy directly under the party leader ▲ reviving the bar examination system ▲ creating a 100% personnel reform committee for the public.
Candidate Joo emphasized his strength in having led the conviction of Lee Hwa-young, a former Gyeonggi Province vice governor who is a key figure in the 'North Korean remittance scandal,' and stated that he raised suspicions against candidates for cabinet positions in the Lee Jae-myung government, resulting in their downfall, showcasing 'strong combat power against the opposition.'
He said, "I am not at all afraid of the three special investigations aimed at dismantling our party, and I can easily withstand them," appealing, "Please use me as a shield and spear for conservatism." He also emphasized that his faction is not tied to any particular group, stating he is the only candidate who can prevent division among conservatives and restore their honor.
Pledges include ▲ appointing key party positions from among the first and second-term members ▲ significantly promoting youth candidates during nominations ▲ institutionalizing 30% participation of non-elected chairpersons, party officials, and aides in the general assembly.
The People Power Party plans to reflect the results of a vote by responsible party members and a public opinion poll, each accounting for 50%, to narrow down the candidates for party leader to four in the preliminary election from the 5th to the 6th. In the final election, '80% from party member voting and 20% from public opinion polling' will be considered. The congress will be held on the 22nd of next month at Osco in Cheongju, Chungbuk.