People Power Party Sends Official Letter to President Lee Urging Withdrawal of Kwon Oeul, Ahn Kyubaek, and Chung Dongyoung Nominations

"Three Nominees Lack Competence, Integrity, and Qualifications"
"A Conscientious Request, Not a Mere Political Demand"

On July 24, the People Power Party announced that it had sent an official letter, under the name of Song Eonseok, the Emergency Response Committee Chair and Floor Leader, to the Presidential Office demanding the withdrawal of the nominations of three ministerial candidates: Kwon Oeul for Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, Ahn Kyubaek for Minister of National Defense, and Chung Dongyoung for Minister of Unification.

Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on July 24, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In the official letter titled "We Demand the Withdrawal of Unqualified Ministerial Candidates," sent by email, the People Power Party singled out candidates Kwon Oeul, Ahn Kyubaek, and Chung Dongyoung, stating, "They all seriously lack the ability to lead the policies of their respective ministries, the moral integrity to secure the trust of the public and their organizations, and the qualifications to shape the nation’s future."

Regarding candidate Kwon, the party stated, "The candidate has no experience in veterans or military affairs and is the first nominee for head of the Patriots and Veterans Affairs Ministry without any relevant background, which leads us to judge that he lacks expertise." They continued, "He has violated the Public Official Election Act five times in the past and has not returned part of the election subsidy, raising issues of legal responsibility."

The party further emphasized, "There are unresolved ethical issues, including suspicions that both the candidate and his spouse held overlapping positions and received double salaries, controversy over signing a 'luxury consultant' reemployment contract without performing actual duties, and allegations of fabricating false career credentials through disguised employment, none of which have been properly explained."

Regarding candidate Ahn, the party stated, "He has failed to dispel suspicions that could fatally undermine the leadership of the Minister of National Defense, who commands 500,000 military personnel. He is also a person who should be investigated to uncover the truth regarding the alleged lobbying for the reinstatement of Division Commander Lim Seonggeun."

The party also mentioned that in 2022, candidate Ahn disclosed the schedule and details of a South Korea-US-Japan joint naval exercise on social media, stating, "There is growing doubt about his sensitivity to security and his perspective on national security," and added, "He is deemed unsuitable for strengthening the South Korea-US alliance and South Korea-US-Japan cooperation."

Regarding candidate Chung, the party criticized, "Controversy has arisen over the possibility of preferential treatment for his family in connection with a solar energy business operated by his family, after he proposed a 'Special Act on Supporting Agricultural Solar Power,' and sufficient explanations have not been provided as his spouse is still listed as CEO."

The party continued, "It has been revealed that the candidate and his spouse purchased farmland in Sunchang County, North Jeolla Province, in 2021, changed the designation of part of the land, and built a luxury detached house with a view of the Seomjingang River. Since they did not actually engage in farming, suspicions have been raised regarding violations of the Farmland Act and acquisition for speculative purposes."

The People Power Party stated, "This is not a mere political demand but a responsible and conscientious request for the sake of the country," and added, "Even now, we hope that the nominations will be boldly withdrawn and that new candidates who meet public expectations will be nominated to restore trust in state affairs."