"Will Not Attend Today's Debate... Exercising Priority Over Party Affairs"
"Forced Candidate Replacement Could Lead to Legal Disputes"
Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, proposed a unification plan that includes a debate on the 14th and a public opinion poll on the 15th and 16th. He rejected the unification roadmap presented by the party leadership, announcing that he would not attend the debate scheduled for that day.
At an emergency press conference held at his campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul, at 8:30 a.m., Kim stated, "If we continue on this path, it will lead to mutual destruction. Even if we achieve unification, we will not gain the support of the people."
Kim proposed a week-long campaign period for the candidates to create synergy and ensure proper vetting. He suggested that unification should be achieved through next week's debate and public opinion poll. Kim criticized, "Han Deoksoo says he will do whatever the party tells him, but this kind of coercive unification has neither inspiration nor narrative."
He made it clear that he rejects the unification roadmap suggested by the party leadership. He warned the party to immediately stop the forced unification measures, stating that he would invoke his priority over party affairs according to the party constitution and regulations. Kim declared, "The forced unification currently underway is a forced candidate replacement and an attempt to remove me, which could lead to legal disputes. I will not participate in any debate unilaterally scheduled by the party without the candidate's consent." He added, "Since this is illegal, I will take appropriate action."
Kim also sharply criticized the party leadership. He said, "I want to ask the leadership: why are you trying to remove me, Kim Moonsoo, for the sake of an independent candidate who has even said he will not register as a finalist?" He questioned, "Did Han know about this scenario in advance?" He continued, "It seems the leadership had already planned to form a campaign committee for an independent candidate who does not intend to register, as if it were prearranged. Were all the primary candidates just props?" Finally, he emphasized, "Kim Moonsoo is a candidate who knows how to fight. I will use every means possible to stop this undemocratic and coercive tyranny."
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