Kim Yongtae's Withdrawal of 'Opposition to Yoon's Impeachment' Sparks Backlash
Tensions Rise Within People Power Party Over Nullification of Impeachment Opposition
Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon on the 2nd directly criticized Yoon Sanghyun, co-chairman of the joint election campaign committee, who expressed the view that "the party's official stance against the impeachment of former President Yoon Seokyeol is the party's root and identity," stating, "The People Power Party should be the party that stopped illegal martial law." Some observers interpret Han's remarks as an extension of the ongoing power struggle over the party leadership following the 6·3 presidential election.
Former People Power Party leader Han Donghoon on the 2nd directly criticized Yoon Sanghyun, co-chairman of the joint election campaign committee, who expressed the view that "the party's official stance against the impeachment of former President Yoon Seokyeol is the party's root and identity," saying, "The People Power Party should be the party that stopped the illegal martial law." Photo by Kim Hyunmin
On the 2nd, Han posted on his social networking service (SNS), "On the day before the election, Yoon Sanghyun, the co-chairman of the election committee, said that the root and identity of the People Power Party is opposition to the impeachment of Yoon Seokyeol, which was based on illegal martial law." He continued, "The identity of our party is not the defense of illegal martial law, but the prevention of illegal martial law," emphasizing, "That is what it must be."
Previously, on May 31, People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Yongtae posted on SNS, "Former President Yoon should not come near the People Power Party at all." This was in response to former President Yoon, who, on the same day, delivered a message through Pastor Jeon Kwanghoon's rally at Gwanghwamun, stating, "To restore this country to normal, I appeal to everyone to support People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo." Kim then distanced himself from Yoon. On June 1, Chairman Kim also stated on SNS, "Depending on the outcome of the presidential impeachment trial, the party's official stance against the impeachment of the president, which was adopted last year, must be nullified."
In response to Chairman Kim's repeated opinions in favor of nullifying the opposition to impeachment, Representative Yoon, a prominent pro-Yoon figure, objected on SNS on the 1st, saying, "Very regrettable." He argued, "Even if it is a desperate measure for election victory as the emergency committee chairman just two days before the presidential election, one must not cross the line that defines the root and identity of our party," and added, "The party's official stance against the impeachment of former President Yoon was not a shield for one individual, but the final line of defense to protect the constitutional order and liberal democratic system of the Republic of Korea."
Representative Yoon, a prominent ally, opposed on the 1st via SNS, saying "Very regrettable" to Chairman Kim's repeated opinions against impeachment nullification. Photo by Hyunmin Kim
He further emphasized, "Declaring 'nullification' based solely on the judgment of the emergency committee chairman without any internal party discussion is self-denial that shakes the party's identity and a path that invites confusion and division," and said, "The moment we abandon our identity for the sake of the election alone, even the roots of our party will be shaken." Finally, Representative Yoon added, "What we need now is not greater confusion and division, but the core values, dignity, and responsible leadership befitting a conservative party," and stressed, "Self-denial by a political party is the most frightening form of division."
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