Draws a Clear Line on Speculation About Running for Party Leader
Kim Moonsoo, former presidential candidate of the People Power Party, addressed speculation about his potential candidacy for party leader, stating that he has "no desire for the position."
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 to hold a concession press conference at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on June 4, 2025. Photo by Yoon Dongjoo
On June 5, at the presidential campaign disbandment ceremony held at a building in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, Kim said, "It should be enough that I lost the presidential election. Those who care about me should not say that I must become the party leader."
Kim emphasized, "When you are president, you have a car and bodyguards, but as party leader, there is nothing. There is no reason to covet the position. Whoever is willing and able should take the role and do it properly." He continued, "Earlier, there were people talking about who should become the party leader. If we keep having these discussions, we will end up in the same garbage heap. Now is not the time to be fighting over positions."
He added, "Today, the ruling party passed the special investigation bill on insurrection and is likely to designate our party as an insurrectionary force. The People Power Party could be dissolved as unconstitutional and now faces the risk of dissolution. Is it appropriate to be sitting around fighting over who will be party leader at a time like this?"
Kim stated, "The country is in such a crisis that this is not a disbandment ceremony, but rather a rally to save the nation. I am a sinner. It is not right for me to claim that I will do anything. However, this country must be saved."
Kim also strongly criticized President Lee Jae Myung's personnel appointments and stance toward the United States. Regarding Kim Minseok, the nominee for Prime Minister, Kim said, "Not only is he politically unclean due to violations of the Political Funds Act, but he was also sentenced to four years in prison for occupying the American Cultural Center. This was the first start of the anti-American movement. The United States will take serious issue with this in the future."
Regarding Lee Jongseok, the nominee for Director of the National Intelligence Service, Kim said, "He is clearly a pro-North Korea scholar both theoretically and ideologically. Appointing an anti-American figure as Prime Minister and a pro-North Korea, anti-American figure as NIS Director clearly shows where this administration is headed."
Kim also referenced the case of Lee Hwayoung, former Vice Governor for Peace of Gyeonggi Province, who was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison for illegal remittances to North Korea, stating, "The main culprit is the governor, and the vice governor is an accomplice. President Lee will find it difficult to conduct diplomatic activities with the United States."
Kim further asserted, "President Lee tried to have a phone call with former U.S. President Donald Trump, but Trump's side refused. The very fact that the call did not take place is a significant problem in U.S.-Korea relations." He also said, "The major issue for businesses right now is the Yellow Envelope Act. It is a harmful law that prevents companies from operating, and young people suffer because of it. Someone needs to speak out and say there is a problem."
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