Kwon Youngse: "For Kim, Unification Was Just a Tactic to Become the Candidate"
On May 10, Kwon Youngse, the interim leader of the People Power Party, claimed that he made the decision to replace presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo with former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo because the promise of a "swift unification" was broken, betraying the trust of party members.
At a press conference held at the National Assembly that morning, Kwon stated, "Candidate Kim gained the support of the public and party members by insisting on a swift unification, but after becoming the candidate, he delayed the process and effectively derailed unification. For Kim, unification was nothing more than a tactic to become the candidate," he said. "Kim has thrown away the trust of party members like an old shoe."
Kwon explained that the decision was inevitable because, despite having emphasized the need for swift unification during the party’s primary, Kim intentionally avoided unification before the deadline for registering presidential candidates (which is May 11).
He added, "Until midnight yesterday, we did everything we could, activating both official and unofficial channels and making several attempts to coordinate. I earnestly pleaded with him to achieve unification, even if it meant stepping over me," he said. "However, in the end, unification through agreement failed. I am deeply saddened and heartbroken."
He continued, "Unification is not a political choice for any one individual or specific faction. It was not predetermined for anyone. It is the last, faint hope for us to win this presidential election. More than 80% of party members demanded unification before the candidate registration deadline. The party members’ mandate was to unify around a competitive candidate who could stop Lee Jaemyung’s dictatorship and to establish that person as the People Power Party’s candidate, number 2 on the ballot," he emphasized.
Kwon further criticized, "Kim repeatedly made baseless criticisms and lies against the leadership, causing conflict. He spread false information and unfounded conspiracy theories, using his supporters to attack the party without hesitation. Ultimately, Kim even filed for an injunction, taking an internal party issue to court."
Kwon also commented on the dismissal of the injunction filed by Kim the previous day, saying, "Given this, the interim leadership had no choice but to make a painful decision with a heavy heart." He added, "We held several general meetings and gathered opinions through a party member poll. Based on this consensus and in accordance with the party’s constitution and regulations, the interim leadership decided to revoke Kim Moonsoo’s candidacy and select a new candidate."
He added, "What we must protect now is not our positions, but the country itself. Through action, not words; through results, not expectations, we will fight with greater resolve, humility, and intensity alongside the people until the end, and we will secure victory. With a desperate heart, I made this weighty decision. Whatever the outcome, I will take full responsibility," he said, bowing his head.
Earlier that morning, the People Power Party convened both the interim leadership and the election management committee to begin the process of reselecting former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo as the presidential candidate instead of Kim. The entire party will vote from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., after which the interim leadership will confirm the result at 10 p.m. On the following day, May 11, after the national committee’s approval and another interim leadership meeting at 4 p.m., the replacement with Han Ducksoo will be finalized.
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