"Yoon should focus on his trial...
The party must move forward into the future"
Kim Yongtae, the co-chair of the election campaign committee who has been nominated as the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, responded to demands from former leader Han Donghoon for a public apology from presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo regarding martial law and impeachment, as well as a complete severance of ties with former President Yoon Sukyeol, by stating, "We will prepare to clarify our position as soon as possible."
On May 13, during an appearance on SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show," Kim Yongtae addressed the three demands made by Han Donghoon the previous day: an apology for opposition to martial law and impeachment, severance and expulsion of former President Yoon Sukyeol and his spouse from the party, and an apology regarding the agreement to unify candidacies with former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo. Kim Yongtae said, "Both candidate Kim and former leader Han share the same sincerity in thinking about the country and the people," and gave this response.
Regarding the demand to sever ties with former President Yoon and his spouse, Kim Yongtae said, "I will be officially appointed as emergency committee chairman on the 15th," and added, "We will prepare so that both candidate Kim and I can address that issue." Kim Yongtae continued, "Former President Yoon should be allowed to focus on his trial, and our party must move forward into the future. I have pledged to reform politics and restore the common sense of the people. Although this is a sensitive and difficult issue, I will do my best to guide it in a wise direction that satisfies both the public and party members."
When asked whether there would be any visible action regarding the status of former President Yoon, Kim Yongtae replied, "We are discussing various options," and emphasized, "It is important that many party members reach a consensus on this matter."
Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, is taking a commemorative photo after presenting the appointment certificate to Assemblyman Kim Yongtae at the Central Election Committee appointment ceremony held at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 12th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung
When asked, "Candidate Kim apologized for martial law but did not mention impeachment," Kim Yongtae answered, "There were factions within the party that not only opposed impeachment but also called for the president's resignation, so it seems time was needed to sort out the situation," adding, "Please give candidate Kim some time to coordinate his position and reflect."
Regarding reports that the Democratic Party has crafted a messaging strategy labeling candidate Kim as a 'candidate raised by Jeon Kwanghoon (pastor of Sarang Jeil Church),' Kim Yongtae said, "I understand that the Democratic Party also has candidates related to Pastor Jeon Kwanghoon," and dismissed the claim as "logically unfounded." In response to some suggestions that candidate Kim's remarks about the need to join forces with the plaza movement referred to Pastor Jeon, Kim Yongtae said, "The president's role is to unite the people," and added, "The Democratic Party continues to push this narrative, but please interpret it as a commitment to uniting the people who have been divided into left and right camps."
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