Lee Yangsoo Hints at Call for Unification on Social Media
Jang Donghyuk, a member of the People Power Party, announced on May 5, just two days after Kim Moonsu, the presidential candidate, nominated him as Secretary-General, that he would decline the position.
On Facebook that day, Jang stated, "As someone who has served as the chief campaign manager for candidate Kim, I believe I still have a role to play in achieving the upcoming unification," expressing his intention to step back from the appointment.
Jang added, "Ahead of such an important election as this presidential race, I thought it would be appropriate for someone with more experience to take on the role of Secretary-General," and emphasized, "I will devote all my capabilities to ensuring the People Power Party's victory and achieving unification until the very end."
Previously, right after being elected as the People Power Party's presidential candidate on May 3, Kim Moonsu met with the party leadership and expressed his intention to replace the Secretary-General with Jang. The Secretary-General is responsible for overseeing the party's finances. During the presidential election period, this role involves managing election expenses amounting to approximately 50 billion won. Since the incumbent Secretary-General, Lee Yangsoo, had been actively supporting unification with Han Deoksoo, the former Prime Minister and an independent preliminary candidate, there was speculation that Kim's intention to pursue unification might have weakened due to the proposed replacement of the Secretary-General.
With Jang declining the Secretary-General position, Lee Yangsoo will remain in his post.
On the same day, Secretary-General Lee posted a scene on Facebook from the candidate debate held on April 30, where Kim Moonsu was asked about unification with former Prime Minister Han during a one-on-one debate with Han Donghoon, the former leader of the People Power Party.
At that time, when asked whether unification should take place immediately after the party convention on May 3, Kim Moonsu held up a sign marked with a circle. This is interpreted as Secretary-General Lee urging Kim to pursue unification.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party will hold a general assembly of lawmakers at 7 p.m. that day in the main building of the National Assembly, in the Special Committee on Budget and Accounts conference room. As calls within the party for swift unification between Kim and former Prime Minister Han grow louder, the party is expected to gather opinions on the matter.
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