"Self-Denial That Shakes the Party's Identity... Regrettable"
"The Roots and Identity of the People Power Party Must Not Be Crossed"
Yoon Sanghyun, a senior member of the People Power Party representing the Seoul metropolitan area, criticized Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman, for declaring the "invalidation of the party's official stance against impeachment," calling it "self-denial that shakes the party's identity and a path that invites confusion and division."
On June 2, Yoon wrote on Facebook, "Chairman Kim has sparked controversy by stating that he will invalidate the party's official stance against the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol," adding, "I find this extremely regrettable."
He argued, "Even if this is an unavoidable measure for election victory as the Emergency Response Committee Chairman just two days before the presidential election, we must not cross the line that represents the roots and identity of our party."
Yoon emphasized that the party's official stance against the impeachment of former President Yoon was "not a shield for one individual, but the last line of defense to protect the constitutional order and the liberal democratic system of the Republic of Korea." He continued, "At the time, party members reached this decision after considerable deliberation," and pointed out, "Underlying that decision were the responsibilities of a conservative party, the value of defending our system, and a firm belief in liberal democracy."
He strongly criticized the declaration of "invalidation" based solely on the Emergency Response Committee Chairman's judgment without any internal party discussion, calling it self-denial that shakes the party's identity. He stressed that the Emergency Response Committee is an organization meant to resolve the party's crises and lead unity around core values, stating, "The moment we abandon our identity for the sake of elections alone, even the roots of our party will be shaken."
Yoon argued, "What we need now is not greater confusion and division, but the core values, dignity, and responsible leadership befitting a conservative party." He also added that if a party cannot stand upright on its own, no message it delivers can stand before the people, stating, "Self-denial by a political party is the most frightening form of division. If the roots are shaken, the tree will fall."
The previous day, Chairman Kim stated on his Facebook account, "The party's official stance adopted last year against the impeachment of the president must be invalidated." He declared, "The People Power Party's official positions must align with the universal values of the party constitution and regulations, and decisions by the nation's judiciary, such as the Constitutional Court and Supreme Court rulings, serve as irreversible grounds for determining party positions. To correct the previous official stance against the president's impeachment, I will gather consensus at the party caucus and formalize it through the Emergency Response Committee."
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