"People Power Party Makes Light of Party Democracy"
"Martial Law Undermines the Democracy Won Through Bloodshed"
Yoon Yeojun, the Standing General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and Han Ducksoo, the independent preliminary candidate, who are currently in conflict over candidate unification, saying, "It is a mudslinging match among forces that should exit the stage." Yoon pointed out issues with the People Power Party's party democracy, stating, "They should rightfully be expelled."
At the election committee meeting held at the Central Party Office in Yeouido on May 9, Yoon said, "Elections are often called the flower of democracy, but in the current presidential race, instead of the fragrance of flowers, all we see is a mudslinging match among forces that should leave." He further criticized, "The power struggle between Kim Moonsoo and Han Ducksoo is seriously undermining the significance of the presidential election, which is to choose a national leader who will determine our future."
He questioned, "Wasn't Han a person who should not have run in the first place?" and added, "Is it in line with common sense for someone who served as prime minister under an impeached president to run for office? In some ways, it even appears shameless."
Yoon Yeojun, the Standing General Election Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held at the Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul on May 7, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin
He continued, "If Han wanted to run, he should have resigned early from his position as acting president and participated in the People Power Party's primary. If he decided to run late, he should have at least been prepared to see the race through as an independent candidate." Yoon added, "I believe his candidacy itself is causing the public to suspect that it is the product of political maneuvering by illegal martial law forces."
He went on to say, "Both Kim and Han served as prime minister and ministers under the martial law regime," and remarked, "From the public's perspective, there is little difference between the two."
Yoon especially delivered strong criticism regarding the People Power Party's party democracy. He said, "Looking back, during the three years of the Yoon administration, the People Power Party changed its party leader 12 times, including acting leaders and emergency committee chairs. Even party leaders who were once very popular, like Lee Junseok and Han Donghoon, were discarded miserably if they did not please the president." He continued, "Because these people made light of party democracy, they tried to undermine the democracy of the Republic of Korea, which the people won through bloodshed, by imposing martial law." He added, "They should rightfully be expelled," and emphasized, "'The Republic of Korea is a democratic republic' is a solemn statement enshrined in Article 1 of the Constitution."
In relation to this, Yoon identified integration as a key task for this presidential election. He said, "The 2025 presidential election should not be reduced to a mere reaffirmation of Article 1 of the Constitution. More than anything, people's livelihoods are extremely difficult, and there are numerous pressing external issues. We must compete over solutions to such challenges and elect a capable, unifying leader who can overcome crises and obstacles."
Regarding this, he promised, "In this election, the Democratic Party must both judge regressive forces and present a vision for the future. I will do my best to make this an election that expands the ranks of those who share our vision and values."
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