Kwon Young-se "If Party Support is Secured, Good Election Results Expected" (Comprehensive)

"Yoon's Resignation Not Being Considered... It Is Not Appropriate"

On the 17th, Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said regarding the candidates mentioned as potential next presidential contenders within the ruling party, "Regardless of who becomes the candidate, it is important to secure support for the party."

On the same day, Chairman Kwon attended a discussion hosted by the Gwankhun Club at the Korea Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, and stated, "If party support is secured through livelihood policies, good results can be expected no matter what happens."

He added, "The impeachment trial could be accepted or dismissed. The problem is that the focus is only on how to conduct an early presidential election if it is accepted," emphasizing, "It is important to manage the situation so that society as a whole does not fall into chaos if it is dismissed under such circumstances."

Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Kwanhun Club invitation debate held at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul on the 17th, answering questions. 2025.2.17 Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Regarding the possibility that President Yoon Seok-yeol might decide on his resignation or other course of action before the conclusion of the impeachment trial, he said, "It is not being realistically considered," and added, "(President Yoon's) resignation would not resolve all issues. It is not appropriate."

When asked whether he would have participated in the vote on the day of martial law if he had been present in the National Assembly despite not attending the vote, he replied, "Even if I had been at the National Assembly, I would not have participated in the vote." He explained, "I thought that if the ruling party, in particular, has responsible people, they should listen to their words about whether there is a reason the president cannot speak publicly, whether this is all known, and such matters." He continued, "I think it is not appropriate for the ruling party to act the same as the opposition without knowing what that is yet." He also evaluated, "Former Representative Han Dong-hoon must have had the same information as I did, but immediately saying 'unconstitutional and illegal' was somewhat hasty."

He also expressed his stance on election fraud. Chairman Kwon said, "I do not think it is a situation where we can definitively say there was election fraud," but suggested, "How about the Central Election Commission stepping forward to receive an objective review?" He added, "Even if there is no fraud, if suspicions continue, social integration will be very poor," and said, "There is a need for institutional supplementation."

Regarding recent consecutive protest visits to the Constitutional Court and criticisms that these are attempts to "shake the Constitutional Court," he said, "The Constitutional Court is being shaken too much, so we are pointing this out to restore it," and firmly stated, "We should look at how fairly the Constitutional Court is operating. I do not agree at all with the view that pointing out the Constitutional Court frequently is just an attempt to shake it based on appearances."

On the same day, Chairman Kwon identified "national stability" as a key task in his keynote speech. He pointed out, "The most important task ahead is to unite the divided public sentiment after the presidential impeachment trial results and minimize national confusion."

To this end, he stressed that the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial must be fair. Chairman Kwon referred to a public opinion poll showing that over 40% believe the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial is unfair, expressing concern, "We cannot help but worry that the impeachment trial ruling will not be the end of conflict but lead to greater conflict." He then said, "I request that the Constitutional Court justices conduct the procedures fairly."

He suggested to both ruling and opposition parties that it is time to engage in politics that look toward the country and the people rather than factions. He diagnosed that fundamental reforms are necessary to prepare for uncertainties such as the China-originated 'Deep Seek' shock and the inauguration of the U.S. Trump administration. Chairman Kwon stated, "There are many urgent tasks such as labor market reform and promoting technological innovation," and pledged, "I will present a policy vision to achieve sustainable development with a desperate determination to create a 'new framework for the country.'"