Ahn Cheol-soo, Choi Jae-hyung, and even Kim Tae-heum... Intensified Pressure on Kwon Seong-dong to Resign (Comprehensive)

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the 'High-level Party-Government Consultation Meeting' held at the Prime Minister's official residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 28th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Geum Bo-ryeong] Pressure for the resignation of Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is intensifying from various sectors. Following lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun, Yoo Ui-dong, and Choi Jae-hyung, even People Power Party lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo demanded Kwon's decisive action on the 29th. In addition, former party leader Lee Jun-seok's side plans to submit an additional injunction request to the court to halt the emergency committee's activities on the same day.

Ahn, classified as a potential next party leader, stated on his Facebook that "a new floor leader should be elected to return to an acting leadership system," adding, "Although it may be difficult and slow, we must follow the right path."

Ahn said, "As a politician responsible for the launch of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, I believe it is my duty to clearly express my thoughts on the chaotic party situation to the public," and criticized, "It is neither in the interest of the people and the nation nor desirable for the president that the ruling party wastes the golden time for important reforms amid confusion."

He continued, "We must make choices that are not shameful before the people. That is the way to win the people's hearts and save the party and the Yoon Seok-yeol administration," adding, "No regime has ever won by fighting against public sentiment."

Ahn stated, "The proposal to form a new emergency committee does not align with the court's ruling and leads into a maze of legal disputes. It is neither feasible nor right," and said, "Floor leader Kwon should wisely judge the situation himself and immediately create conditions to solve the problem through the collective intelligence of the members."

Lawmakers Yoon Sang-hyun, Yoo Ui-dong, and Choi Jae-hyung, with four, three, and first terms respectively, also held a press conference on the same day, urging Kwon to voluntarily resign and calling again for the restoration of the Supreme Council instead of a new emergency committee.

Lawmaker Yoon said, "Forming a new emergency committee is a trick and is completely detached from the court's injunction decision. Electing a new floor leader and forming a new leadership team is the way to open the path."

Chungnam Governor Kim Tae-heum also urged resignation on his Facebook, saying, "The person responsible for making the party difficult now is floor leader Kwon."

On the same day, the People Power Party Emergency Committee held a meeting and agreed that floor leader Kwon would serve as acting chairman of the emergency committee until the new committee is launched. At the meeting, Kwon said, "There are duties that I must perform as floor leader for the launch of the new emergency committee," adding, "What is important now is to end the confusion. To this end, I will faithfully carry out the duties assigned to me and the decisions of the party caucus."

Meanwhile, in relation to this, former leader Lee's legal team plans to file an additional injunction at the Seoul Southern District Court to halt the activities of the invalid emergency committee.