Oh Se-hoon, the Seoul mayor, on the 27th said, "The People Power Party leadership is arguing that we should even embrace the extreme faction that defends martial law," adding, "Anti-constitutionalism can never be conservative."
Oh said this in a post on social media (SNS) titled "The path the People Power Party must take: let's reach a conclusion now," and stated accordingly.
Oh said, "The People Power Party's report card from public opinion is devastating," adding, "Even as a de facto legislative coup that shakes the judicial order is unfolding, the public does not see us as an alternative. If we do not correct this now, we will be pushed forever to the margins of history."
He went on, "The reality we face now is that we hesitate before these questions: 'What is this party doing for the people?' 'Is it truly a party that serves the community and the vulnerable?' 'Is it the conservative party we knew that stabilized society through gradual reform?'"
Oh also said, "There are flaws in the history of conservative politics. But the reason we were different from the Democratic Party is because we faced those flaws head-on, reflected on them, and rebuilt from the ground up," adding, "The conservative strength lay in the power of self-purification that chose responsibility over excuses whenever we erred and corrected ourselves."
He continued, "Conservatives restored their own legitimacy by dismantling Hanahoe. That was the true courage of conservatism," adding, "It is not mere formality that our party does not hang a photo of former President Chun Doo-hwan. It is a clear commitment to sever forces that trampled the constitutional order, and a declaration that the constitution stands above power. That declaration is not a legacy of the past but our identity that remains valid today."
Oh said, "Right now the People Power Party leadership is arguing that we should even embrace the extreme faction that defends martial law," adding, "This act undermines the proud history and legitimacy of conservatism itself."
He added, "Anti-constitutionalism can never be conservative," saying, "A conservatism that has lost its principles is like a house built on sand."
Oh said, "It is time to decide. We must clearly judge whether the line declared by leader Jang Dong-hyeok on Feb. 20 is truly the path our party should take," adding, "The longer we delay, the deeper the confusion becomes."
He also said, "This is not just about the election right before us," adding, "It is a choice that determines whether we can properly check the Lee Jae-myung administration and regain power, and the very survival of conservatism is at stake."
Oh said, "Even today, the party leadership must provide a responsible answer," adding, "Please choose what is right so that you do not remain sinners before history."