Moonsoo Kim: "Now Is the Time to Reflect on Democracy, Not Seek Positions"
"Everyday Life" vs. "Intent to Run for Party Leadership" ? Divided Opinions
Moonsoo Kim, the former presidential candidate who was defeated in the 6·4 presidential election, is drawing attention from the political community as he maintains a cautious stance regarding a possible bid for party leadership. Some supporters have urged Kim to run for party leader immediately after his defeat, while others have voiced criticism, arguing that he should take responsibility for losing the presidential election. In particular, there have been various interpretations regarding the 'pull-up video' he released after the election loss.
Former People Power Party presidential candidate Moonsoo Kim doing pull-ups and hula hooping. Photo by Jaewon Kim, Facebook
On June 6, during an appearance on SBS Radio's "Kim Taehyun's Political Show," Jaewon Kim, former Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said, "Even before the disbandment ceremony, there were calls for Kim to run for party leader, but he actually rebuked such demands as 'nonsense from people who have not come to their senses.' He made it clear that restoring public trust should take priority over internal power struggles within the party at this time." He added, "If people fight to become captain on a sinking ship, where do you think that ship will go? I just hope everyone comes to their senses."
When asked about Moonsoo Kim's future political moves, he replied, "I have never had a separate discussion with candidate Kim about a bid for party leadership," and emphasized, "Regardless of his political will, now is a time for the People Power Party to reflect on how to reorganize itself as an opposition party and regain public trust, rather than engaging in internal power struggles."
Jaewon Kim identified the 'attempt to replace the candidate' and 'organizational division within the party' as the main reasons for the People Power Party's defeat in the presidential election. He said, "The party leadership tried to change the presidential candidate during the election, and the entire party showed a passive or uncooperative attitude toward the campaign. In reality, Moonsoo Kim ran the election almost single-handedly."
In particular, Jaewon Kim sharply criticized the attempt to nominate former Prime Minister Ducksoo Han as the candidate, stating, "Former Prime Minister Han has never beaten candidate Lee Jaemyung, nor did he have any competitive edge in the polls. It was nothing more than a 'political maneuver' by forces trying to maintain control of the party."
Regarding the video of Moonsoo Kim doing pull-ups on Gwanaksan Mountain, which he posted on social media, Jaewon Kim explained, "He wanted to show that he was not discouraged by the election defeat and had returned to his normal daily life. It was simply an everyday scene of someone who had been a presidential candidate."
Kim Sangwook, a recently joined member of the Democratic Party, and President Lee Jae Myung. Joint coverage by Yonhap News Agency
However, there are other interpretations as well. Sangwook Kim, who recently joined the Democratic Party, argued on CBS Radio's "Hanpan Seungbu" on June 5, "The pull-up video was an expression of his intention to run for party leadership. It seems that Kim was sending a symbolic message that 'I am still strong, and I will lead the party.'" However, he pointed out, "The problem is momentum. The likelihood that the pro-Yoon faction, which is the mainstream within the People Power Party, will rally around Kim is low, and the group following Kim is small and opportunistic in nature."
Sunguk Jung, a People Power Party lawmaker classified as pro-Han, is also critical of Kim's potential bid for party leadership. On MBC Radio's "News High Kick," he said, "It may look like an attempt to evade responsibility if a candidate who lost such a major election immediately seeks party leadership. Taking responsibility for the party should come first."
Jaeseop Kim, a non-Yoon faction lawmaker, also drew a line during an appearance on YTN Radio's "News Jeongmyeon Seungbu," saying, "Although there is a precedent for running for party leadership after a presidential defeat, as in the Hong Junpyo model, the situation is different now. Back then, the party was almost collapsed and there was a leadership vacuum, but now there are many competitors." He warned, "The greatest responsibility for the election defeat lies with the candidate. Moves that appear to be aimed at party leadership right now may be seen as lacking sincerity."
Within the People Power Party, factional conflicts surrounding the party convention are once again surfacing. Jaewon Kim pointed out, "If there is no reason to extend the emergency committee, it is necessary to hold a party convention as soon as possible to form a new leadership." However, he added, "The important issue is not whether it is the emergency committee or the party convention, but rather which group truly has the will to revive the party at this moment."
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