Jang Yechan and Choi Kyunghwan Reinstated to People Power Party... Kim Moonsoo Says "We Will Embrace Everyone Like a Melting Pot"

Pro-Han Faction Voices Discontent:
"Are You Really Determined to Ruin the Election?"

On May 15, the People Power Party approved the reinstatement of former Supreme Council member Jang Yechan and former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Kyunghwan.

Floor leader Kwon Seongdong, when asked by reporters at the National Assembly that morning whether former Supreme Council member Jang and former Deputy Prime Minister Choi had been reinstated, replied, "Yes."

Jang Yechan had his nomination revoked during the 22nd general election due to controversy over his remarks. He subsequently left the party and ran as an independent candidate in the general election. Choi Kyunghwan ran as an independent candidate in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, during last year's general election, pledging to rejoin the party if elected, but was defeated by Jo Jiyeon, the People Power Party candidate at the time.

Jang Yechan, the newly appointed youth supreme committee member of the People Power Party, is delivering an acceptance speech at the 3rd Party Convention of the People Power Party held on the 8th at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo, after an emergency press conference that day, was asked by reporters whether the reinstatement of these individuals signaled a move toward party unity. He responded, "Yes. Some of these people are current candidates, and some left the party unintentionally, but we will embrace all of them."

He continued, "As you know, our party has experienced a lot of conflict, even if for a short period. Like a melting pot, we will embrace everyone at a temperature high enough to melt iron, dissolving differences and fostering the talent necessary for the happiness of the people."

Within the party, reactions were mixed. Lawmaker Jo Jiyeon expressed her support on Facebook, stating, "Now is the time for our party to move toward victory in the presidential election."

On the other hand, members aligned with Han Donghoon voiced dissatisfaction. Lawmaker Han Jia questioned, "Is this the 'rapid change that will surprise the public' that (Kim Yongtae), the acting emergency committee chair, spoke of?" Former Supreme Council member Kim Jonghyuk criticized, "Are you really determined to ruin the election?"