Park Chan-dae Raises Possibility of People Power Party Dissolution: "If No Genuine Reform..."

Park Chan-dae Pressures with Special Act on Insurrection
"Says He Won't Give Up on Cooperation, But Change Is Needed"
People Power Party Protests, Calling It "Attempt to Annihilate the Opposition"

Park Chan-dae, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, drew attention on July 10 by raising the possibility of the dissolution of the People Power Party depending on the outcome of the party's national convention. Park suggested that the extent of the People Power Party's involvement in the insurrection trial, as well as whether the party truly reforms itself, could potentially lead to its dissolution.

On this day, Park appeared on the YouTube channel "Kim Eo-jun's News Factory" and mentioned the possibility of dissolving the People Power Party while introducing the Special Act on Insurrection. The previous day, he had submitted the Special Act on Insurrection as the lead sponsor, which includes provisions such as limiting pardons and restoration of rights for insurrectionists, reclaiming and blocking state subsidies to parties that produced insurrectionists after the December 3, 2024 martial law, and establishing a special tribunal for insurrection cases.

Yonhap News Agency

In relation to this, he explained, "If the People Power Party supported the illegal martial law, obstructed the impeachment of the president, and in fact also hindered the lifting of martial law, it would be possible for the Minister of Justice to file for the dissolution of the party on constitutional grounds." However, he added, "If I become the ruling party leader, I have no intention of giving up on the ultimate goal of cooperation. I still hope that they (the People Power Party) will reform themselves, change completely, and play the role of an opposition party that contributes to the happiness of the people, so I must hold on to that hope." Nevertheless, he added that such a possibility is "slim."

Park further stated, "If the People Power Party does not change its stance and continues with its current approach, and if the new leadership of the People Power Party also shows no signs of changing, resulting in continued public concern and political turmoil, then when former President Yoon and his collaborators are tried by the special tribunal, a political judgment by the president will be necessary."

However, regarding the petition for the dissolution of an unconstitutional party, Park noted that it is a decision for the executive branch and, as a ruling party leader who must pursue cooperation, said, "This is not something to discuss right now." He also added, "But I don't think this should be dragged out for too long."

The People Power Party strongly objected to Park's remarks. Park Sung-hoon, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized, "Yesterday, he was talking about the 'Special Act on Insurrection,' threatening political retaliation by wielding legislative power as a weapon. Today, he is even mentioning the dissolution of an unconstitutional party, apparently trying to win over Kim Eo-jun." He added, "While the president speaks of unity and cooperation, is the Democratic Party preparing not just to suppress the opposition, but to annihilate it?"

Spokesperson Park emphasized, "We will fight to the end alongside the people against any attempts at political retaliation or annihilation of the opposition using legislative power as a weapon."