Kim Moonsoo Holds Luncheon with Former Lawmakers
Remains Silent on Running in People Power Party Convention
Expresses Concern over Lee Jaemyung Administration's Personnel Disasters
Former People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo on the 20th criticized the personnel disaster of the Lee Jaemyung administration and emphasized unity and struggle. He did not make a clear statement regarding whether he would run in the next People Power Party convention.
Former presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo of the People Power Party is entering a Chinese restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul on the 20th to have lunch with members of his post-election campaign team. Photo by Yonhap News
On this day, Kim made these remarks about the current political situation during a lunch at a restaurant in Yeouido, Seoul, with about 30 former lawmakers who had supported him during the last presidential election. The lunch was attended by former National Assembly Constitutional Association presidents Kim Ilyoon and Shin Kyungsik, as well as former lawmakers Kim Seondong, Song Kwangho, and Park Gye-dong. People Power Party lawmaker Cho Bae-sook was also present.
After lunch, Kim told reporters that he had "not thought about it at all" regarding whether he would run in the next party convention. When asked if he would run if there was a groundswell of support for him to become party leader, he replied, "There is no such sentiment yet, so it is hypothetical to talk about it."
Regarding the reform plan proposed by People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae, Kim said, "I hope Chairman Kim will carry out innovation well."
Lee Chung-hyung and Cho Yong-sul, former spokespersons who worked on Kim's campaign, said, "Kim did not mention anything about the party convention or the party's internal situation," but added, "However, many of the attendees expressed serious concerns about the situation after the early presidential election."
They continued, "Some people asked Kim to take on a role for the good of the country and the party, and to become party leader. Others requested that he recognize the crisis facing conservatives and take on the burden for the sake of the party."
In particular, Kim reportedly expressed strong concerns about the Lee Jaemyung administration.
Former spokesperson Cho Yong-sul said, "He expressed many worries about the current state of affairs," and added, "He said that we must prevent the Constitution and the rule of law from being trampled and the order of democracy from being destroyed."
He further explained, "Kim was very concerned, pointing out issues with President Lee Jaemyung's personnel decisions and the identity of major appointees."
The People Power Party plans to hold a party convention as early as August to elect a new party leader. The list of potential candidates includes Kim Moonsoo, former leader Han Donghoon, lawmakers Na Kyungwon and Ahn Cheolsoo, and Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae.
Although Kim did not announce his candidacy for the party convention on this day, there is speculation that he may be considering a run for party leadership, given his criticism of both the Lee Jaemyung administration and internal party turmoil.
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