"Resolving Conflict with Former President Park Geun-hye,
A Long-Held Wish"
Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, one of the potential presidential candidates within the ruling party, stated on the 18th, "If Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, is found guilty again in the second trial on the violation of the Public Official Election Act scheduled for the 26th, he will not be qualified to run in an early presidential election."
At a press conference held at the People Power Party Daegu City Branch on the same day, Yoo said, "Lee is being tried on charges far more serious than election law violations in five cases," and pointed out, "In the history of presidential elections in our country, no candidate with such criminal charges has ever run for president."
He added, "Judging from his past actions and statements, even if Lee is convicted in the second trial, he will claim the presumption of innocence and run for president," emphasizing, "The People Power Party must unite as one and focus on how to win the election."
Regarding the impeachment trial verdict of President Yoon Seok-youl, Yoo said, "My belief that impeachment is inevitable has not changed," but also stated, "We must prevent internal division within the People Power Party over pro- and anti-impeachment positions." He explained that it is important for the party to unite to overcome the public division and conflict that emerged during the impeachment phase.
Yoo said, "Eight years ago, the party was deeply divided over the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, which led to losing power," and added, "This time, we must acknowledge differences in opinion and move forward as one for a greater goal without further division."
To this end, he urged both President Yoon and the Democratic Party to issue messages accepting the Constitutional Court's decision. Yoo said, "I think it was good that our party’s Emergency Committee Chairman Kwon Young-se and Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong officially stated that they would accept whatever decision the Constitutional Court makes," and mentioned, "It would have been better if President Yoon had also issued a message of acceptance as a matter of responsibility."
He also expressed a desire to resolve the long-standing conflict with former President Park Geun-hye. He added, "I hope that before too much time passes, we can meet someday, reconcile on a human level, and have an opportunity to talk if there were any grievances."
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