[People Power Party Leadership Candidate Interview] Cho Kyungtae: "PPP Has Become a Zombie Party, Must Restore Democracy by Abolishing Party Lines"

Cho Kyungtae, People Power Party Leadership Candidate Interview
"Sever ties with Yoon through personnel reform"
"A strong opposition must earn support, even with fewer seats"
"Innovation candidates will surely win if unified"

People Power Party leadership candidate Kyungtae Cho is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on July 29, 2025. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

"The People Power Party is currently a kind of zombie party. Unlike previous crises, it now stands at a crossroads between survival and extinction."

Cho Kyungtae, the party's most senior lawmaker with six consecutive terms since the 17th National Assembly, offered this assessment of the current situation. Given the gravity of the circumstances, Cho believes that bold and decisive measures are necessary to correct the party's course.

He supported the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol after the 12·3 Martial Law incident and has consistently advocated for a complete severance from Yoon and his wife. His vision for reform is equally clear. Key proposals include a definitive break with the past through personnel reform, restoring democracy by abolishing party lines, and introducing a "one-strike-out" system to immediately expel members who engage in violent or abusive behavior at party meetings such as the general assembly. In an interview with Asia Economy at the National Assembly Members' Office Building on the 29th, Cho emphasized, "Even if the number of seats is smaller, a strong opposition party must earn the support of the people."

The following is a Q&A with Cho Kyungtae.

People Power Party leadership candidate Congressman Cho Kyungtae is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 29th. 2025.7.29 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

-What do you see as the main cause of the party's current crisis?

▲Although there was reflection and apology, there was no clear target. There must be a definite reflection on having opposed martial law while maintaining party policy against impeachment. Along with this, the party must demonstrate accountability for any apology to be genuine.

-Ultimately, are you saying personnel reform is necessary?

▲For the party to move forward, it must thoroughly sever ties with its problematic past. (Previously, Cho identified 45 People Power Party lawmakers who gathered in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong during the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials' attempt to arrest former President Yoon as targets for personnel reform.) Secondly, the main suspects in the three major special prosecutor investigations must decide their own political futures, as their actions have harmed the party. To shed the stigma of being an "insurrection party," bold innovation is required.

-Some argue that prioritizing unity is more important than personnel reform, as purges could undermine the party's ability to block constitutional amendments.

▲True unity is only possible when it is backed by innovation. Receiving just 17% party approval with 107 seats is not unity. Even if those targeted for personnel reform leave the party, they are unlikely to join the ruling party and support constitutional amendments. The people's mandate now is to create a proper opposition party.

-What are your specific plans for innovation?

▲The party constitution and regulations must be completely revised. The constitution should more clearly articulate the party's constitutional and democratic values, and the regulations should create an environment where individual lawmakers can freely express their opinions. The obligation to listen to dissenting views until the end at meetings such as the general assembly will be enshrined in the constitution and regulations. Party lines should be abolished so that each lawmaker has the opportunity to maximize their abilities. We will seek to differentiate ourselves in ways the Democratic Party cannot.

People Power Party leadership candidate Cho Kyungtae is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 29th. 2025.7.29 Photo by Kim Hyunmin

-The new party leader will have to lead next year's local elections.

▲Considering the local elections, the party needs a leader who follows public sentiment rather than just party sentiment. Only then can we earn the people's support in the local elections. Choosing Cho Kyungtae, who leads in public opinion, could directly lead to victory in the local elections. To do that, we need to gain even more public support. The most visible indicator is the party's approval rating. We need to increase it by two to three times the current level to perform well in the local elections. If party support remains low, even the best candidates will struggle.

-Why is it necessary for innovation candidates, such as Ahn Cheolsoo, to unify?

▲If innovation candidates unite, an innovation candidate will definitely win. The show of unity during the unification process is far more effective than the primary itself. Innovation candidates are those who are willing to make personal sacrifices to revive the party. Based on this commitment, I hope innovation candidates will respond to the proposal for unification as soon as possible.

-What are your thoughts on the anti-impeachment candidates?

▲The anti-impeachment faction denies the Constitutional Court's decision to remove former President Yoon. This stands in direct opposition to the conservative value of upholding the constitution. If a member of the anti-impeachment faction becomes party leader, they would become a force that directly denies the constitution. If, as the Democratic Party claims, there is an attempt to dissolve the party, how could we respond? The anti-impeachment candidates must not provide such an excuse.