Start of Non-Yoon Faction Defection?… 'Lee Jun-seok Faction' Shin In-kyu Leaves People Power Party

Joining the People Power Party Spokesperson Team During Representative Lee Jun-seok's Tenure
"Yoon Privatizes the Party... Members Remain Silent"

Shin In-gyu, the leader of Jeongdang Baroseugi (Jeongbase), declared his departure from the People Power Party. Shin joined the party's spokesperson group through a public debate format in 2021 during the tenure of former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok and served as a full-time deputy spokesperson.

On the 25th, Shin held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and stated, "I intend to boldly walk the difficult and challenging path of political change by leaving the People Power Party."

Former People Power Party full-time deputy spokesperson Shin In-gyu held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 25th, criticizing the recent party situation and announcing his resignation from the party. Photo by Yonhap News

He raised his voice, saying, "The possibility of change and reform that the People Power Party showed in the past to bring about President Yoon Seok-yeol has now completely disappeared," and added, "Since his inauguration, President Yoon has blatantly privatized the ruling party over the past year and six months."

Shin criticized, "When voices of opposition and criticism against President Yoon's control of the party arise, they are labeled with derogatory terms such as fake conservatives, conservative pretenders, and conservative appealers," and pointed out, "While the president dominated the party, party members consistently remained silent rather than resisting."

Regarding the ruling party's defeat in the recent by-election for the mayor of Gangseo District, Seoul, Shin said, "The people regarded it as the last chance for the conservative government," and criticized, "However, President Yoon, the main figure behind the crushing defeat, only reflected on the failure to properly incorporate the National Unity Committee's intentions into the cabinet, but there was no genuine remorse or reflection toward the people."

In 2020, Lee Jun-seok, then leader of the People Power Party, is pinning the party badge on Shin In-kyu, the prospective full-time deputy spokesperson, in the party leader's office at the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Furthermore, Shin stated, "I will leave the lonely island of 100% party support and confidently head toward the vast sea of 100% public support," and added, "I want to create a new standard of politics centered on the organized power of ordinary citizens."

Meanwhile, although there is speculation about a possible wave of defections from the anti-Yoon (anti-Yoon Seok-yeol faction) starting with Shin, former leader Lee Jun-seok expressed his stance, saying, "I will not join that path."

On the 25th, on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' Lee addressed rumors about a new party involving himself and Yoo Seung-min, stating, "At least, I am not consulting with Representative Yoo Seung-min. I am not preparing for it either." However, he left room for possibility by saying, "(Regarding the possibility of a new party) I am not ruling it out from my position."