At the joint speech of the People Power Party in Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam, members' criticisms and cheers erupted. During the joint speech, the candidates who supported impeachment mentioned 'martial law,' while those against impeachment referred to 'internal sabotage,' showing that the People Power Party conference is still trapped in the black hole of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment.
The People Power Party held a 'Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam joint speech' at BEXCO in Busan on the afternoon of the 12th. The presentation of policy ideas during the joint speech was conducted in the order of youth supreme committee member, supreme committee member, and party leader. The candidates mainly appealed for support from members on the themes of fighting against the opposition and uniting and innovating within the party.
The members' interest was particularly focused on the policy presentations of the party leader candidates. Members chanted the names of their favored candidates and waved banners in support. Some were seen leaving immediately after the presentation of their supported candidate ended. Supporters of the anti-impeachment candidates shouted 'traitor' during the pro-impeachment candidates' speeches.
The reactions of supporters of the anti-impeachment candidates intensified during the speech of Cho Kyung-tae, who was the first speaker. Cho noted, 'Dear respected and beloved wise party comrades, the person who betrayed the people and betrayed members of the People Power Party is former President Yoon.' In response, anti-impeachment supporters stood up holding placards that read 'traitor,' cursing and shouting. Meanwhile, Cho's supporters cheered.
Cho emphasized, 'Our party must remove those who are still opposing impeachment, claiming a fraudulent election, and advocating "Yoon Again" to seize power in the future. We will carry out the strongest personnel renewal that meets the people's expectations.'
The last speaker, Kim Moon-soo, emphasized party unity while mentioning the trial suspension of President Lee Jae-myung. Kim said, 'The Lee Jae-myung dictatorship is trying to disband the People Power Party. If that happens, how is it different from North Korea's Workers' Party and our Korea?' He added, 'We must fight. We should not internally sabotage our party while colluding with the internal rebellion investigation.'
He continued, 'According to the opinion poll results this morning (11th), the People Power Party exceeded 30%. If I become the party leader, I will gain more than 41% support received in the previous presidential election by the end of the year,' adding, 'We must join hands with all the people opposing Lee Jae-myung's dictatorship and stop it.'
Ahn Cheol-soo referred to the commotion caused by Jeon Han-gil at the joint speech in Daegu and Gyeongbuk on the 8th. Ahn said, 'A single loach caused a commotion, insulting the leadership of the People Power Party, despising the candidates, and shaming the party members,' pointing out that 'above all, the media covered the chaos incident more than the convention.'
He stated, 'The People Power Party is a proud conservative party. It is a competent party that has left a great legacy throughout Korea's security, economy, and welfare,' adding, 'Now we must break free from the binds of the past and make a new choice.'
Jang Dong-hyuk emphasized the struggle against lending. He said, 'Silencing the people and the media while threatening the judiciary to halt five trials is indeed a silent martial law,' continuing, 'We must impeach Lee Jae-myung, who uses the Democratic Party to destroy the constitutional order and dissolve the Democratic Party.'
Jang also emphasized, 'The Democratic Party and the Lee Jae-myung administration aim to annihilate conservatism. The annihilation of conservatism is the annihilation of liberal democracy,' adding, 'I will start the fight to bring down the Lee Jae-myung administration and reconstruct a conservative government.'
The People Power Party will hold joint speeches in Chungcheong-Honam on the 13th and in the metropolitan area, Gangwon, and Jeju on the 14th. The convention to announce the results of the new leadership election will be held on the 22nd in Cheongju, Chungbuk. If there is no candidate who receives a majority of votes among the party leader candidates, the top two will proceed to a runoff.