Ruling Party Presidential Candidates Gather at New Year's Meeting... Unified Voice for "General Election Victory"

Kim Ki-hyun "I will uphold the values of the conservative party"
Na Kyung-won "It's time for party reform"
Ahn Cheol-soo "I will oppose the opposition in Daejang-dong district"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] The next leadership candidates of the People Power Party began actively courting party support through the party's New Year's greeting event on the 1st.

Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said in his greeting, "I believe that if the party and government build a healthy cooperative relationship and continue to hold the initiative in state affairs, we can develop the Republic of Korea," adding, "I hope that at the party convention in March, we can welcome a truly good leadership, become centered around that leadership, and properly prepare to win next year's general election."

On January 1, 2023, the first day of the new year, Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, and other party leaders paid their respects at the Memorial Tower in the National Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul. 2023.1.1 [Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers] [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Ki-hyun, the first to throw his hat into the ring within the floor, stated, "I think the conservative party should recognize the values and importance it pursues, strengthen its roots firmly, and make efforts to expand its outreach," adding, "To do so, we need to engage in intense external discussions that align with public sentiment, deliberate thoroughly, and unite behind the conclusions drawn from those discussions, so that we can become a party that enters the hearts of the people with one voice."

Na Kyung-won, vice chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Committee and a leadership candidate, said, "Although the president is unpopular, we must carry out the labor, pension, and education reforms he promised, which are also important for solving low birthrate and aging issues. I also think it is time for party reform," adding, "I always make resolutions at the start of the new year. I wondered what it would be like to make a resolution to reform."

Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo also attended the New Year's greeting event as a candidate for party leader, emphasizing, "I believe winning next year's general election, the following local elections, and then regaining the government are the tasks given to us," and added, "Since my constituency is Daejang-dong, I will also take the lead in fighting against the opposition."

Cho Kyung-tae: "The ruling party must have a self-sacrificing spirit"
Oh Se-hoon: "Hope this year brings comfort to the people"

Assemblyman Cho Kyung-tae also said, "For the Republic of Korea to grow more futuristically, the People Power Party, as the ruling party, must have a self-sacrificing spirit like a candle," adding, "I pray that 2023 will be the year of reform for the People Power Party and political reform, becoming the inaugural year of political reform for the people of Korea."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also attended the greeting event. Mayor Oh said, "In the new year, the party convention to establish new leadership for our party is approaching," adding, "I hope a leader who can well balance seemingly incompatible values will emerge, so that our party can extend the government we have arduously regained and make this year a foundational year that brings great comfort to the people."