The Democratic Party Begins Grand Election... Kwon Seong-dong "Must Prevent Division" vs Kim Tae-ho "Must Let Go of the Hand Held with Yoon"

Kwon Seong-dong "Party Split After 2016 Impeachment... Conservative Devastation and Livelihood Collapse"
Kim Tae-ho "Increased Political, Economic, and Security Uncertainty... Politics That Serve the People Needed"

On the 12th, the People Power Party began a caucus meeting to elect a new floor leader to succeed former floor leader Choo Kyung-ho. Representative Kwon Seong-dong, who emerged as a candidate, requested support by saying, "Division is scarier than impeachment," pledging to prevent conservative division and overcome the difficult path ahead. On the other hand, Representative Kim Tae-ho appealed, "It is truly painful, regrettable, sad, and difficult, but I believe it is time for us to let go of President Yoon's hand that we have been holding."

During the caucus meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Representative Kwon stated in his policy speech, "On the 3rd, President Yoon declared martial law. Even though the Democratic Party issued 24 impeachment motions and paralyzed state affairs, responding with martial law was wrong."

Kwon continued, "Our party has fallen into an unprecedented crisis. After former floor leader Choo announced his resignation, several senior and junior lawmakers asked me to take the lead in managing the party's crisis," adding, "I am well aware that the ruling party's floor leader position is a poisoned chalice. I have already served as floor leader. What ambition would I have for the position? However, as a senior member, I did not want to be cowardly by avoiding the request not to ignore the party's crisis," explaining his reason for running.

Referring to his role as the chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee in 2016, when the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye was handled, Kwon said, "If impeaching President Yoon is necessary for our party to survive, I thought we must take that painful path," but added, "The result was disastrous. Our party split. The division led to defeats in the presidential, local, and general elections. The newly established Moon Jae-in administration slaughtered conservatives under the pretext of clearing out deep-rooted evils, and the people's livelihood collapsed," effectively expressing opposition to impeaching President Yoon.

Regarding political and media criticism that "a pro-Yoon candidate has run again for floor leader amid the martial law incident" and that it is a "battle between pro-Yoon and pro-Han factions," Kwon said, "I am pro-Yoon. I worked harder than anyone else for regime change," adding, "However, after the regime was established, I did not participate in the transition committee nor join the cabinet. From the election period of President Yoon to after the regime change, I pride myself on having voiced the most criticism behind the scenes."

On forecasts that the pro-Han faction, including Representative Han Dong-hoon, would be expelled, Kwon promised, "I pledge party unity. Representative Han was elected with 63% of party member support, securing democratic legitimacy as party leader. I will consult with Representative Han on major issues," and added, "Difficult times beyond imagination await. Sometimes we must grit our teeth and fight the opposition, and sometimes we must acknowledge reality and balance negotiation and compromise."

Kwon Seong-dong (left), a candidate for the floor leader of the People Power Party, and Kim Tae-ho are greeting attending lawmakers in front of the general assembly hall for the floor leader election held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Before his policy speech, Representative Kim Tae-ho actually knelt and apologized, saying, "I kneel and apologize to the people," and argued, "Now is the time to make a decision. It is time to let go of the hand of the president we have been holding," insisting, "As the ruling party, we must proceed righteously on the right path."

Regarding the fact that most ruling party lawmakers did not attend the vote on President Yoon's impeachment motion on the 7th, Kim said, "'We must at least block impeachment,' 'Orderly resignation is the way to prevent chaos'?that was the thinking. So the party rejected the impeachment motion as the party line," and added, "If a cancer patient undergoes surgery immediately at the hospital, they may die from excessive bleeding. So we waited until the conditions were right."

He continued, "The Korea discount is rapidly progressing, and next month the second term of the Trump administration will begin. It is confusing who is the control tower of South Korea and who to talk to. Diplomacy is deteriorating," adding, "Stocks, exchange rates, and the economy are worsening, and polarization is intensifying. This uncertain and unpredictable situation in South Korea is increasing uncertainty in all areas?politics, economy, and even security," urging a decision.

Kim said, "No matter how painful or difficult, the truth must be revealed," and urged again, "We must now break free from the shackles of impeachment and find a new path," continuing, "The People Power Party is the ruling party. As the ruling party, we must change to politics for the people and politics that cares for the nation," emphasizing, "If the people want it, we must be ready to take any path. It's enough now; we must change and innovate until told to stop."

Regarding concerns about division within the ruling party, he appealed, "The most important thing is unity," and urged, "Let's not criticize or slander each other. Let's wisely unite and move forward as one."

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