Candidates for the ruling party's Supreme Council members deliver diverse '5-minute speeches'

Nine Candidates On and Off the Floor Take the Stage to Speak
"Criticism of the Democratic Party's Factionalization and Lee Jae-myung's Deification"

On the 2nd, the nine candidates running for the Supreme Council Member positions in the People Power Party's July 23rd party convention presented their '5-minute visions' to party members. The candidates expressed differing views on how to reform the People Power Party and how to fight against the ruling Democratic Party of Korea, which continues to dominate the National Assembly, and its leader Lee Jae-myung.

Jang Dong-hyuk, who introduced himself as the 'soulmate' of the people and party members, said, "The role of politics is to improve the lives of the people and make them smile. But is there really politics in South Korea right now?" He added, "Politics is not only failing to make the people smile, but it cannot even wipe away their tears." He criticized, "The Democratic Party is idolizing and deifying Leader Lee. After turning the Democratic Party into his personal party, he now intends to privatize even the National Assembly of South Korea." Jang pointed out, "The People Power Party is overwhelmingly outnumbered in seats and is helplessly being defeated, yet the people still criticize the People Power Party." He emphasized, "We must change to win, and winning is necessary to protect South Korea, the values of liberal democracy and conservatism, and the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. Protecting the Yoon government is also essential for regime re-creation. We must start that change right now."

Park Jung-hoon, running as a running mate of party leader candidate Han Dong-hoon alongside Jang, brought 'conviction' as his keyword. Park said, "When the ruthless Moon Jae-in administration manipulated the economic feasibility of the Wolseong nuclear power plant and fabricated the case of a public official being attacked as a defection to the North, I was able to muster courage because of my conviction." He added, "The Moon administration even manipulated scores to prevent the broadcasting station I belonged to from being reauthorized. I was afraid, but I faced that fear with conviction and believe I became the foundation for regime change." Park said, "It has been over two years since the regime changed, but many people say they dislike us more than those shameless forces. I cannot accept that. Therefore, we must now innovate into a winning party. If we don't do it now, we will all inevitably perish."

/ Provided by People Power Party

Kim Hyung-dae, chairman of the Gangnam District Council in Seoul, said, "As a disability activist and local autonomy expert, I have faced numerous prejudices and have worked hard to overcome those barriers." He added, "Turning the people's anxious hearts into firm hearts and leading the People Power Party through innovation means walking together with the socially vulnerable." Furthermore, Kim appealed, "Conflicts between people with disabilities and those without have deepened, and social issues related to over 15 million marginalized groups such as the elderly, disabled, and multicultural families are erupting like a flood. For South Korea to move forward, practical solutions, not just theoretical discussions, are needed."

Lee Sang-gyu, head of the Seongbuk-eul party committee in Seoul, emphasized that the party must be one that strictly adheres to the party constitution and regulations. Lee said, "I was shocked to see the People Power Party violate the party constitution and regulations in the last general election." He added, "The violation of the party constitution and regulations led to defeat in the general election." He pointed out, "Article 8 of the party constitution states that party members elected president must faithfully reflect the party's platform and policies in state affairs. The president is reflecting our party's platform and policies well. However, has our party actively supported the president's governance? Has it supported it properly so far?" Lee said, "The mood of one leader should not become the party's attitude." He added, "I will create a system that wins elections through rules, systems, and the party constitution and regulations."

In Yo-han, running mate of party leader candidate Won Hee-ryong, said, "I have received many gifts from South Korea, but I have not contributed much to the country." He continued, "However, I received the greatest gift when I entered medical school in 1980, worked as the youngest department head in 1991, and proudly obtained my resident registration card after special naturalization on March 21, 2012." In appealed, "I have been thinking about how to repay this debt. I feel that South Korea, especially the National Assembly, lacks innovation, and I am working hard. If given the opportunity as a Supreme Council Member, I will complete innovation and block and confront the Democratic Party's monopoly."

Park Yong-chan, head of the Yeongdeungpo-eul party committee in Seoul, focused on two core visions. Park emphasized, "I am determined to become a strong gladiator against the shameless leftist forces including Lee Jae-myung." He added, "I stand before you with the desire to be the 'Bacchus' that revitalizes our lethargic People Power Party."

Ham Woon-kyung, who ran for Seoul Mapo-eul in the 22nd general election but lost, said, "There are many battle-hardened veterans who have overcome countless hardships, but I decided to run for Supreme Council Member because I believe the People Power Party cannot continue as it is." He added, "I am a former leftist activist. However, I joined the People Power Party, ran as a candidate for Mapo-eul, and now stand at the Supreme Council Member vision presentation." Ham said, "If asked what kind of party the People Power Party is, I say it is the party that will lead South Korea's second leap forward. That is our dream." He continued, "We must fight the leftist Democratic Party with that spirit and ideology. We are the party that develops South Korea, and the leftist Democratic Party is the party that ruins South Korea."

Kim Min-jeon, the only female candidate for Supreme Council Member, criticized the Moon Jae-in administration's income-led growth and real estate policies, as well as the Democratic Party's parliamentary dominance in the 22nd National Assembly. Kim said, "We must become a party that listens well to the voices of party members and the people." She added, "I believe we must fight on the field the people want and in the way the people want." She emphasized, "I do not belong to any faction. I will devote myself fully to uniting the People Power Party." She concluded, "People say the People Power Party has no strength, but I will become a Supreme Council Member with strength."

Kim Jae-won, who was cut off from the Supreme Council Member candidacy but returned after an appeal, said, "Isn't this the first time in South Korea's constitutional history that the ruling party has suffered such a devastating defeat?" He added, "What makes our situation worse is that the opponent who defeated us is the Democratic Party led by Leader Lee, who is accused of crimes and is facing four trials, and the 'Cho Kuk Innovation Party' led by Cho Kuk, who is about to go to prison." He said, "Kim Jae-won, who claims to be the strongest conservative striker, has always fought on the front lines and fought fiercely until the end. I pride myself on always winning when I fight." He added, "Now, I will step forward to reorganize the scattered ranks, stand up again, and fight. Turning the Supreme Council into a strategic general headquarters, nurturing party warriors, and having those warriors lead the fight is the most necessary image for our party."