Far from Reorganized, People Power Party in Disarray... All Eyes on the Next Floor Leader

Kim Yongtae's Reform Proposal Stalls
No Conclusion Reached After Five-Hour Caucus

The People Power Party's reform proposal, put forward by Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae, has encountered significant difficulties. After more than five hours of a party caucus on June 9, no breakthrough was found, and attention both inside and outside the party is now focused on the next floor leader.

On June 10 at 2:00 p.m., Kim Yongtae is scheduled to hold a meeting with local party association heads at the party's central headquarters in Yeouido to discuss the "five major reform proposals," including the next leadership system. This move is interpreted as an attempt to secure support from non-parliamentary figures in order to keep the reform agenda alive. A lawmaker aligned with the pro-Han faction stated, "There is a strong call for party reform among the local association heads," and added, "If Kim Yongtae's reform plan gains momentum, another party caucus can be convened for further discussion."

Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Kwon Seongdong, who declared his resignation as floor leader, are attending the party meeting held at the National Assembly on June 9, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

However, there are also many differing opinions among the non-parliamentary members, making it uncertain whether the reform drive will gain traction. One local party association head from the Seoul metropolitan area said, "While I view the reform itself positively, there are differences of opinion regarding those who should be held accountable for the presidential election defeat attempting to extend their terms as if nothing happened, or pushing for a party audit aimed at replacing the presidential candidate."

Attention within and outside the party is now turning to the new floor leader, who will be elected on June 16. There is a consensus that solutions should be discussed under the leadership of the new floor leader. If Kim Yongtae completes his term, which ends on June 30, and steps down, the new floor leader will serve as acting party leader. The acting leader could remain in place until a new party leader is elected, or a new emergency committee chairman could be appointed. A party official emphasized, "It is realistic for the new floor leader to form a new emergency committee and prepare for a party convention," and added, "To quickly stabilize the party and provide a check on the ruling party, we need to restore the party to a normal system through a party convention."

Meanwhile, the competition for the People Power Party's floor leader includes four-term lawmakers Kim Sanghoon, Park Daechul, and Lee Heonseung, as well as three-term lawmaker Song Eonseok from the pro-Yoon faction. From the pro-Han faction, six-term lawmaker Cho Kyungtae and three-term lawmaker Kim Seongwon are being mentioned as potential candidates. Lawmakers with relatively neutral factional backgrounds, such as four-term lawmaker Kim Doeup and three-term lawmaker Sung Iljong, are also being considered as candidates.