Shin Pyung, Who Mentioned "Representative Ahn Supports Yoon's Party Withdrawal," Resigns as Kim Ki-hyun's Sponsorship Chairman

"Great Burden on Candidate Kim... End of Role as Sponsorship Chairman"
Shin Pyeong, Kim Han-gil Points to Role in Political Realignment
"No Plans at All," Rebuttal

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Shin Pyung, the chairman of the support committee for Kim Ki-hyun, a candidate for party leader who mentioned political restructuring including the possibility that President Yoon Seok-yeol would leave the party and form a new party if Ahn Cheol-soo is elected as the party leader at the People Power Party's March 8 convention, resigned from his position as support committee chairman on the 7th.

Shin wrote on his blog that day, "I deeply feel that my frequent media exposure and opinion statements have caused great inconvenience to candidate Kim, for whom I serve as support committee chairman."

He added, "Now that the falsity of Ahn Cheol-soo's slogans 'Yoonhim' (a candidate who supports President Yoon) and 'YoonAn (Yoon Seok-yeol and Ahn Cheol-soo) coalition theory' has been revealed, and it is clearly shown that President Yoon hopes candidate Kim will be elected as party leader, I believe my role as support committee chairman has come to an end."

Shin, who was regarded as a 'mentor' to President Yoon, served as the support committee chairman for Kim Ki-hyun, a lawmaker backed by the pro-Yoon faction. However, on the 3rd, he became the center of controversy by asserting the possibility of political restructuring if Ahn is elected party leader. Shin particularly said that if political restructuring occurs, "Former party leader Kim Han-gil is expected to demonstrate his capabilities."

In response, Kim Han-gil, chairman of the Presidential Committee for National Unity, issued a statement titled 'Kim Han-gil's Position on the Controversy over Political Restructuring' on the same day, stating, "I am solely dedicated to my role as chairman of the National Unity Committee and have never had any meetings or plans related to political restructuring." He also added, "To add my personal opinion, I believe the president should not leave the party."