People Power Party Declares Merger with Sidae Jeonhwan... General Election Big Tent in Full Swing

People Power Party-Sidae Jeonhwan Merger
Kim "Belief in Solidarity and Inclusion"
Gangseo District Mayor Should Not Be Opposition Representative Avatar

On the 21st, the People Power Party recruited Jo Jeong-hoon, a member of the Transition Era party classified as an opposition figure, and began full-scale expansion of its political base. They also jumped into the by-election campaign for the mayor of Gangseo District, considered a key indicator of public sentiment in the metropolitan area ahead of next year's general parliamentary elections.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, held a 'Joint Pledge Ceremony' with Representative Jo in Gangseo District, Seoul, on the same day and declared a merger with Transition Era. As Jo is a proportional representation member, he joined the People Power Party through an absorption merger since leaving Transition Era would result in losing his proportional seat.

On the 21st, Jo Jeong-hoon, a member of the Shift for a New Society who declared a merger with the People Power Party, is taking a commemorative photo with Representative Kim Ki-hyun and others at the 'People Power Party Accompaniment Pledge Ceremony' held at the Gomdallae Cultural Welfare Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Leader Kim said, "I have long held the belief that the foundation of politics is solidarity and inclusion," adding, "I am convinced that the reason politics exists is to respect the diverse thoughts and existence of the people, mediate social conflicts, and create a better life for the people than now."

Representative Jo was elected as a proportional representative of the Democratic Party's satellite party, the Together Citizens' Party, and then reinstated to Transition Era through a form of expulsion. Regarding this, Leader Kim emphasized, "Even if the beginnings and starting points differ, if we aim for the same destination, we should embrace more broadly and cooperate more deeply."

Representative Jo said, "The people do not want the creation of a new party, but rather a significant change in the two major parties so that politics is not something to worry about but politics that serves the people," adding, "While fresh challenges from new parties are welcome, ultimately, I decided to lend my strength to overcome this crisis together through the innovation of capable and experienced parties."

The day before, the People Power Party officially announced the admission of five individuals: former National Tax Service Commissioner Kim Hyun-jun, former Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Police Commissioner Go Gi-cheol, former Namyangju Mayor Jo Gwang-han, former SK Group SUPEX Council Vice President Park Young-chun, and KBS public recruitment comedian Kim Young-min.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, Yoon Jae-ok, floor leader, and Kim Tae-woo, candidate for the Gangseo District Office by-election, are holding hand signs at the on-site Supreme Council meeting at Gomdallae Cultural Welfare Center in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Following the merger ceremony, the People Power Party immediately held an on-site Supreme Council meeting and appealed for active support for Kim Tae-woo, the candidate for mayor of Gangseo District.

Leader Kim said, "It is utterly unfair to punish a whistleblower by turning a blind eye and not even awarding a commendation," adding, "A whistleblower who revealed illegal acts committed under the Moon Jae-in administration, which went against fairness and common sense, should naturally be socially protected."

He continued, "The Gangseo District mayoral by-election is a matter of choice between a prepared candidate with experience, Kim Tae-woo, and an apprentice candidate who has never worked and now needs to learn," adding, "It is a choice between a powerful ruling party candidate and an opposition candidate who, without strength, would lead Gangseo into a political whirlpool as an avatar of the opposition leader."

Leader Kim emphasized that the candidate for mayor of Gangseo District was nominated through a primary election based on public opinion polls and criticized the Democratic Party for strategically nominating candidate Jin Gyo-hoon. He stressed, "I urge you to choose Kim Tae-ho, the candidate selected by the residents of Gangseo District, not a parachute candidate who is unheard of or unseen."