Kim Moonsoo and People Power Party Leadership Clash at Party Meeting... Kim Cites "Illegal Means" vs Party Calls Remarks "Disappointing" (Comprehensive)

Kim: "There are polls where I beat Lee Jaemyung, but has Han Ducksoo ever done so?"
Kwon Youngse: "This is completely out of line with what lawmakers expected"
Kim Moonsoo leaves the party meeting after his opening remarks

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, attended the party members' meeting on the 9th for the first time since the demand for candidate unification, but clashed head-on with the party leadership. Kim criticized the party leadership for using illegal and unjust means to make former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo the presidential candidate. The party leadership, which had intended to persuade Kim to agree to unification, responded to his remarks by saying that the content was "extremely disappointing."

Kim attended the party members' meeting held at the National Assembly that morning. At around 11:46 a.m., Kim left his campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul, and headed to the People Power Party's meeting room. The meeting was originally scheduled for 11:00 a.m., but was delayed as Kim remained at his campaign office to receive reports. At the same time, Kwon Youngse, Emergency Response Committee Chairman, and Kwon Seongdong, Floor Leader, greeted Kim at the steps in front of the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall.

Kwon Seongdong, who began the meeting with a statement, said, "In order to win, unification and a big tent are absolutely necessary. Although we are somewhat confused right now, if we reach an agreement through this process, it will surely lead to a beautiful and unified victory."

Kwon also said, "While discussing our party members' and the public's strong desire for unification, I made some rather harsh remarks toward you, candidate Kim. I sincerely apologize to you here and now," he said, bowing his head.

The previous day, Kwon had sharply criticized Kim, saying, "Watching you hold a press conference this morning to protect your precious presidential candidacy while ignoring the orders of party members, I can't help but doubt whether you are truly the democratization activist we have believed you to be, or the veteran politician who has served three terms as a lawmaker, two terms as Gyeonggi Province governor, and as Minister of Employment and Labor."

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is leaving after stating that he cannot agree to the unification demanded by the party leadership at the party members' meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News

Taking the podium next, Kim asserted that the party leadership had been working to push him out and make Han Ducksoo the presidential candidate, and emphasized that he could not agree to unification before the presidential candidate registration deadline (the 11th).

He said, "The party leadership is still using all sorts of illegal and unjust means to remove me, Kim Moonsoo, and to make an independent candidate our party's presidential nominee. I urge you to stop immediately. The forced unification currently being pursued by the party leadership is nothing more than an attempt to remove me, Kim Moonsoo, and to make an independent candidate our party's presidential nominee. That is why I cannot agree to it," he declared.

He continued, "Please trust me, Kim Moonsoo. I will step forward and win. If, after being elected at the party convention, I had immediately started preparing for the election and rallied the party's strength, our current approval ratings would not be what they are today," he pointed out.

He added, "There have been several times when I, Kim Moonsoo, have defeated Lee Jaemyung in public opinion polls. Has Han Ducksoo ever beaten Lee Jaemyung? The competitiveness surveys show that there is almost no difference between me and Han Ducksoo," he said.

In response, Kwon Youngse, Emergency Response Committee Chairman, said, "The content is extremely disappointing. I think it is completely out of line with what our lawmakers expected," and added, "If you are a leader, and especially if you want to become a greater leader, you must also know how to let go of yourself."

After the opening remarks, although lawmakers asked Kim to "listen to the lawmakers' opinions before leaving," he immediately left the meeting room, and the party leadership adjourned the meeting.

Kwon Youngse, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Kwon Seongdong, Floor Leader, are attending the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. May 8, 2025 Photo by Kim Hyunmin