Kim Sanguk: "Pro-Yoon Faction Likely Confirmed They Have the Stamina to Hold Out After Kim Moonsoo's 41% Vote"

Kim Sanguk, Former People Power Party Member, Assesses June 3 Presidential Election Results
"Reform Will Not Be Easy... All Pro-Yoon Regions Secured Victory"
"No Reason Found for Pro-Yoon Faction to Change"

Kim Sanguk, a Democratic Party lawmaker who was formerly with the People Power Party, accepted the results of the June 3 presidential election and stated, "Reform within the People Power Party will not be easy." He argued, "Because candidate Kim Moonsoo received 41% of the vote, there is now a stronger belief within the party that 'if we stick together and hold out, we can make it.'

Independent lawmaker Kim Sanguk, who left the People Power Party, is entering the National Assembly communication room on May 15 to declare support for Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In an interview on CBS Radio's "Park Jaehong's One Shot Match" on the 4th, Kim said, "If you look at the regions where candidate Kim won, they are all areas represented by pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) lawmakers." He explained, "The basic strategy of pro-Yoon lawmakers is to endure, seize control of the party, secure nominations, and keep holding out in hopes that an opportunity will eventually come. As Kim won in pro-Yoon regions, they confirmed for themselves that 'yes, we have the stamina to keep going.'"

Regarding the continuation of Kim Yongtae's emergency leadership committee, he said, "The emergency committee system will likely continue for the time being. There is no reason to elect a new party leader right now. It is obvious that next year's local elections will be difficult, and there is no reason for anyone to take responsibility unnecessarily. Both the camp of former leader Han Donghoon and that of Kim Moonsoo share the same desire to avoid responsibility." He added, "Especially among the pro-Yoon faction, they see no reason to change. The fact that their constituencies have been protected means they believe they can continue as they are." He further predicted, "With the mainstream of the party having no reason to change, but the public calling for reform, they will only pretend to pursue reform. No matter how determined Kim, the emergency committee chair, may be, without momentum, he will not be able to achieve fundamental reform."

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate who was defeated by Lee Jae Myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, in the 21st presidential election, is walking up to the podium at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 4th to hold a press conference conceding the election. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo

Regarding the possibility of Kim Moonsoo running for party leadership, Kim said, "The pro-Yoon lawmakers are still the mainstream, and they have no intention of making Kim the party leader or following him. Their orientations are different, so they cannot move forward together." He argued, "Only a small minority of lawmakers follow Kim, and those who supported him as the presidential candidate did so out of opportunism." He added, "The current structure actually gives more strength to the pro-Yoon faction."

The People Power Party will hold a general assembly of lawmakers on the morning of the 5th following the emergency committee meeting. At the assembly, they will discuss response strategies and party management measures regarding the three major special prosecutor bills?the National Rebellion Special Prosecutor Act, the Kim Keonhee Special Prosecutor Act, and the Chae Haebyung Special Prosecutor Act?as well as the Prosecutor Disciplinary Act, all of which the Democratic Party is expected to pass unilaterally. During the process of discussing how to manage the party after the presidential defeat, there are expected to be calls for the collective resignation of the pro-Han Donghoon leadership and debates over responsibility.

Meanwhile, last year, following the December 3 Martial Law, Kim voiced opinions within the party that differed from the mainstream, opposing the party line to impeach former President Yoon Sukyeol. During the presidential campaign, he left the People Power Party, declared his support for Lee Jae Myung, and joined the Democratic Party.

Regarding President Lee's first round of appointments, Kim commented, "Representative Kim Minseok, the nominee for prime minister, is someone with leadership and control. It was clear that there was a strong intention to maintain control over the executive branch." He also said, "Representative Kang Hunsik, appointed as chief of staff, is someone with a keen interest in budgets and the economy. I felt that there was a clear emphasis on economic recovery."