Kwon Sungdong Says "I Will Step Down as Floor Leader... Need to Discuss Reconstruction of Conservatism" (Update)

Kwon Sungdong, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, announced his resignation from the floor leader position on the 5th.

At the general meeting of People Power Party lawmakers held at the National Assembly that day, Kwon stated, "For the reconstruction of conservatism, we must start anew and discuss from a blank slate," adding, "I will step down from my position as floor leader."

People Power Party Floor Leader Kwon Sungdong is leaving the Emergency Response Committee Chairman's office of the People Power Party at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 5th, heading toward the Floor Leader's office while responding to questions from the press. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding the recent presidential election defeat, he said, "This is not simply a judgment on the emergency martial law or the impeachment of the president, but a painful rebuke for the division within the ruling People Power Party," emphasizing, "As floor leader, my responsibility is by no means light."

Kwon also said, "I am a five-term lawmaker and have already served as floor leader once before," adding, "However, as the ruling party at the time, someone had to step up to resolve the national crisis and the party's turmoil, so I took on the responsibility again."

He continued, "I sincerely thank the lawmakers who have trusted and supported me despite my shortcomings," and added, "I hope that today's general meeting will candidly confront the causes of this defeat and become a venue for discussing the proper structure of the party and the reconstruction of conservatism going forward."