Kim Moonsoo: "Controversy Over Presidential Intervention in Party Affairs Has Caused Conflict"
Requests National Committee to Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae for Party Constitution Amendment
On May 25, Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, stated, "I will establish institutional mechanisms to fundamentally block presidential intervention in party affairs," and announced that he would specify three key principles?party-government cooperation, separation of the party and the president, and a ban on factions?in the party constitution.
This statement is interpreted as an effort to address voters' concerns by pledging to eliminate the vertical relationship between the government and the party, as well as factional disputes, which became problematic during the presidency of former President Yoon Sukyeol.
After visiting the birthplace of former First Lady Yuk Youngsoo in Okcheon County, North Chungcheong Province, Kim held a press conference on current issues and emphasized, "It is time to shift from a president-centered, vertical party-government relationship to a healthy relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation."
He pointed out the issues of the vertical party-government relationship and the factional disputes represented by the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) group, saying, "The controversy over presidential intervention in party affairs has caused many conflicts. Presidential involvement in nominations has undermined the party's autonomy and democracy, fueled the president-centered privatization of the party, and sparked internal strife."
In particular, he stressed, "The moment the president decides to take control of the party, democracy begins to falter," adding, "It is now necessary to make a decisive break from these wrong practices."
Kim also pledged, "I will declare the three principles of party-government cooperation, separation of the party and the president, and a ban on factions, and specify this spirit in the party constitution," adding, "I will ensure that the prohibition of presidential intervention in key party affairs, such as internal elections, nominations, and appointments, is explicitly included."
Kim stated, "To promptly amend the party constitution, I have requested Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae to convene the National Committee."
He asserted, "From now on, all party affairs will operate independently and autonomously in accordance with the party constitution and regulations," and added, "There will no longer be any criticism that party operations are swayed by the influence of the president or his close associates."
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