Ahn Cheolsoo: "If We Create a 'Yoon Again Party,' the Party Will Sink"
Han Donghoon: "We Must Cut Off Election Fraud Conspiracy Theories"
Ahn Cheolsoo, a lawmaker from the People Power Party, strongly criticized the old mainstream faction within the party (the pro-Yoon group), stating that their "Yoon Again" movement is leading the party to disaster. On the 16th, Ahn wrote on his social media, "The instinct to line up behind someone and wait for orders and instructions from above is once again eating away at the party because some people cannot stand the anxiety otherwise." He continued, "Now that former President Yoon Sukyeol is gone, are they trying to create a 'pro-Jeon Hangil faction' by bringing in a YouTube lecturer?"
Previously, on the 14th, the leadership including Song Eonseok, Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee and Floor Leader, and Yoo Sangbeom, Senior Deputy Floor Leader, attended the launch ceremony of the "Reset Korea National Movement Headquarters," organized by lawmaker Yoon Sanghyun. Jeon Hangil, who led the rally opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol, was also present at the event. The following day, Jeon participated as a lecturer at a National Assembly forum organized by lawmaker Jang Donghyuk.
In response, Ahn criticized, "Are you planning to completely sink the party by making the party leader and floor leader pro-Jeon Hangil, turning us into a rebellion party, a martial law party, or a Yoon Again party?" He added, "If you really want to honor the spirit of former President Yoon, please hold your events in front of the Seoul Detention Center. How much longer will you embarrass our party members and conservative citizens?" He continued, "There are people who hold and participate in events at the National Assembly, which was invaded by martial law troops, to defend martial law and call for the restoration of former President Yoon. By doing so, they are essentially declaring themselves as 'targets for innovation.'"
Jeon Hangil, who led the rally opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol. Photo by Yonhap News
Not only Ahn Cheolsoo but also former Chairman Han Donghoon posted on social media the same day, quoting his resignation statement from last year, and warned, "If we side with extremists such as election fraud conspiracy theorists and radical YouTubers, or become consumed by the fear they commercially produce, there will be no future for conservatives." He further pointed out, "Unfortunately, even after that, the People Power Party has failed to sever ties with election fraud conspiracy theories," adding, "Recently, the party leadership has even gone so far as to participate en masse in events promoting these conspiracy theories." He went on to say, "If we delay any longer, there will be no future for the People Power Party. We must decisively cut off the election fraud conspiracy theories," and proposed, "If there are People Power Party politicians who believe in or defend these theories, do not hide behind the far-right forces. Come forward under your own name and debate me."
Kim Yongtae, a former Emergency Response Committee Chairman, also strongly criticized the party leadership for attending the "Yoon Sukyeol Again" event. Kim argued, "What is even more absurd and frustrating is that some People Power Party politicians are going along with these far-right claims and participating in their events in an attempt to win votes from the hardline base ahead of the party convention." He further emphasized, "The essence of reform is to exclude the vested interests who refuse to abandon the far-right forces and instead use them for their own power retention from the party's decision-making structure. Conservatism may appear to die briefly, but it must choose the path to live forever."
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