Pro-Yoon Song Eonseok and Pro-Han Kim Sungwon Announce Candidacies
Both Candidates Emphasize Unity Over Factionalism
Leading Internal Reforms... Factional Power Struggles Intensify
With four days remaining until the People Power Party's floor leader election, the lineup of candidates is becoming clearer. Song Eonseok, a three-term lawmaker considered part of the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) faction, and Kim Sungwon, a three-term lawmaker seen as close to the pro-Han (pro-Han Donghoon) faction, were the first to officially announce their candidacies. The next floor leader will not only have to confront the dominant ruling party but also lead internal reforms and a change in party leadership. Since the new floor leader will also be responsible for directing the 9th nationwide local elections scheduled for June 3, 2026, it is expected that factional power struggles within the party surrounding the election will intensify.
People Power Party lawmaker Song Eonseok is declaring his candidacy for floor leader at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News
On the morning of June 12, Song held a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, where he declared his candidacy, stating, "I will devote myself solely to the people and the party in order to overcome the party's turmoil." Song emphasized his experience, saying, "As chair of the National Assembly's Strategy and Finance Committee and as chief deputy floor leader, I have fiercely confronted the Democratic Party of Korea, which holds an overwhelming majority of seats." He added, "I will listen to the diverse voices within the party through balanced and well-suited appointments."
When asked about claims that the pro-Yoon faction within the party is backing him, Song responded, "I am neither pro-Yoon nor pro-Han." He explained, "During the last general election, I competed in a primary against a candidate from the presidential office in Yongsan. If I were pro-Yoon, such a situation would not have occurred." Regarding the party audit on replacing the presidential candidate, he said, "It could be perceived as having a different intention," and added, "When there is a wound, it should be protected and left to heal; if you aggravate it, the wound only gets worse."
Kim Sungwon, a neutral-leaning lawmaker representing a constituency in the Seoul metropolitan area, also announced his intention to run on June 12. Kim said in a phone interview, "I have experience serving as chief deputy floor leader when the People Power Party was in opposition," and added, "Given the need to resolve the current internal situation and to respond strongly to the dominant Democratic Party and the Lee Jaemyung administration, I am running with a sense of duty." On the issue of factional strife, Kim emphasized, "Saving the party comes first," and vowed, "I will ensure that such problems do not arise again."
People Power Party lawmaker Kim Sungwon is declaring his candidacy for floor leader at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 12th. Photo by Yonhap News
Both candidates are highlighting leadership based on unity rather than factionalism. This is because, after the imposition of martial law, impeachment, and the defeat in the presidential election, the influence of the pro-Yoon faction has weakened, and there is a growing consensus that the next floor leader should be someone who can embrace various factions within the party. Initially, the pool of potential candidates included four-term lawmakers Kim Sanghoon, Park Daechul, and Lee Heonseung, as well as three-term lawmakers Kim Sungwon and Sung Iljong. Kim Doeup, a four-term lawmaker known for his relatively neutral stance, announced on June 12 that he would not run.
The new floor leader must first address the deepening internal conflict within the party following the defeat in the June 3 presidential election. The People Power Party is facing a serious internal division, as evidenced by the abrupt cancellation of a general assembly of lawmakers just 40 minutes before it was scheduled to begin the previous day, which brought to light the conflict between Emergency Committee Chair Kim Yongtae and Floor Leader Kwon Seongdong. Kwon stated, "Continuing with the general assembly could make it appear as if there is conflict and division within the party," but Kim objected, calling the unilateral cancellation without prior consultation unacceptable.
Pushing forward with internal reforms is also a key task for the People Power Party. On June 9, the party held a general assembly of lawmakers and discussed the direction of reforms for over five hours but failed to reach a conclusion. The choices made by neutral lawmakers who agree on the need for reform are expected to have a significant impact on the floor leader election. Meanwhile, Floor Leader Kwon is scheduled to hold a press conference at the National Assembly on the afternoon of June 12 to announce his resignation and share his thoughts on stepping down. He is also expected to comment on the internal party situation that has become increasingly contentious since the presidential election defeat.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
