Kim Sanguk, Who Left People Power Party, Joins Democratic Party: "Must Become a Healthier and More Successful Government"

"People Power Party, Functioning as a Political Party Is Paralyzed"
"Both Conservative and Progressive Roles Must Be Realized Within the Democratic Party"

Independent lawmaker Kim Sanguk, who left the People Power Party, announced on the 18th that he would join the Democratic Party of Korea, stating, "The Democratic Party must become a healthier party and a successful government for all citizens."

On this day, after paying respects at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju, Kim held a press conference and said, "After leaving the People Power Party, I have been considering which party to join and what role to play. I have decided to work with the Democratic Party."

On the 18th, independent National Assembly member Kim Sanguk held a press conference announcing his entry into the Democratic Party of Korea in front of the Minju Gate at the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Unjeong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim stated, "If the candidate I support, Lee Jaemyung, is elected president, power must always be used with caution, and checks and balances must be maintained internally. However, at present, the People Power Party is almost paralyzed as a political party and, even if it becomes the opposition, is unable to fulfill its role of providing checks as an opposition party."

He continued, "If the opposition party cannot perform its function, there is only one answer. The large ruling Democratic Party must become healthier and find checks and balances within itself. Therefore, I believe there is no other path for the Democratic Party but to become healthier on its own and succeed for all citizens."

Kim emphasized, "By joining the Democratic Party, I will learn from the beginning, from the ground up, and work together to create a healthier Democratic Party and pursue politics for the people." He added, "If there is an abuse of power within the Democratic Party, I will speak out directly and lead the way in upright actions for the people. I want to engage in politics for the people within the Democratic Party, where both conservative and progressive functions are realized, and where the principle of checks and balances is established."

Kim explained that "the biggest influence on my decision to join the Democratic Party was my contemplation of what democracy is and how politics should be conducted," and described the background for holding the press conference in front of the May 18 Cemetery. Regarding the public opinion in his constituency (Ulsan Nam-gu Gap), he said, "Some organized citizens involved in political activities strongly voiced that martial law was justified and that we should oppose the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol. However, more important than those vocal minorities were the reasonable majority, whose voices may not have been as loud but were more significant. I tried to gather the opinions of the silent and observing majority in as many ways as possible."