As Jeondae Heats Up, Ruling Party Leadership Says "Must Offer Alternatives Rather Than Division"

Hwang Woo-yeo "Candidates Considering the Presidential Election Should Present Alternatives"
"No Involvement or Interference in Yongsan Convention" Voices in Unison

Choo Kyung-ho, the floor leader of the People Power Party, described the escalating disputes among the party leader candidates as "self-destructive behavior" and emphasized the need to compete for the future and the people's livelihood. Hwang Woo-yeo, the emergency committee chairman, also urged the candidates to present alternatives for the party's future rather than engaging in mutual criticism.

Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 8th, at the emergency committee meeting held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, Floor Leader Choo said, "It is encouraging that the party convention is attracting public interest. However, as the floor leader, I must say a word about the recent behavior of the party leader candidates that causes frowns." He added, "The party convention is the most important event where the future of the party and the nation, as well as the party's reflection and vision, are presented to the public. But the current situation shows self-destructive behavior with disputes that do not meet the public's expectations."

He continued, "If this behavior continues, there is growing concern that the party may be divided rather than firmly united. Now is the time to focus our party's strength on the fight against the major opposition party that is violating the constitution. Candidates should compete by presenting future visions and what they will do for the people's livelihood rather than dwelling on the past." He further stated, "If excessive behavior is repeated during the remaining campaign period, I will boldly point it out and correct it as the floor leader." He also said, "All People Power Party lawmakers are united and determined to move forward as a single front, but the party leadership candidates appear to be conducting a divisive campaign, which is causing discomfort and close attention from both party members and the public."

Chairman Hwang said, "Candidates running for party leader should present alternatives to expand the People Power Party's influence and maintain party approval ratings above 40% as before." He added, "Furthermore, as the ruling party, they should also propose ways to keep the president's approval rating higher than the party's, as it was previously." He explained, "According to the principle of separating presidential and party leadership, candidates who have presidential ambitions should resign by September next year, 1 year and 6 months before the presidential election, and then the party convention will be held again under an emergency committee system." He continued, "The elected party leader must prepare for the local elections within six months, so preparations and alternatives for the local elections should be made, and concerns about this should be alleviated."

Chairman Hwang emphasized, "The public and party members have demanded change through the general election, and through this party convention, we are closely monitoring every moment whether we respond to the changes and reforms demanded by the public and party members." He added, "We must listen to some criticisms that the party convention is turning into an excessive mutual criticism battle." He also said, "Any behavior by some members and supporters affiliated with candidate camps that violates the party constitution and regulations will be immediately dealt with severely by the election management committee and the ethics committee." He urged again, "Especially party officials must ensure there is no negligence in complying with the party constitution and regulations."

Regarding allegations of presidential office interference in the party convention, both Floor Leader Choo and Chairman Hwang denied them. Floor Leader Choo stated, "The presidential office has not interfered or been involved in any way during the party convention process and has expressed that it will not be involved in the future." He added, "Candidates should also avoid involving the presidential office in the party convention." Chairman Hwang responded, "There is absolutely no concern about inappropriate connections between Yongsan, the party convention, and the party, as some have worried."