"Blocking Lee's Dictatorship" and "Abolish Early Voting"... People Power Party Leadership Race Turns into Hardline Showdown

Kim Moonsoo: "We Must Stand Against the Lee Administration"... On the Jeon Hangil Controversy: "Far-Left Label"
Jang Donghyuk Appears on YouTube with Jeon Hangil: "Election System Needs Reform"

Candidates opposing impeachment, who are running for leadership of the People Power Party, have begun competing to appeal to the party's hardline supporters by taking clear stances. They have intensified their attacks on President Lee Jaemyung and have repeatedly expressed support for Jeon Hangil, a far-right Korean history lecturer.

On July 31, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo held a press conference at the National Assembly and stated, "We will make the People Power Party a strong force that stands up against the oppressive rule of President Lee Jaemyung's dictatorial regime." He added, "Unity within the party is the beginning of innovation." Kim, the former minister, completed his registration as a candidate for party leader the previous day.

Yonhap News

Kim Moonsoo pledged to prevent President Lee from "self-exoneration" and to fight against anti-American, pro-North Korean, and far-left forces. His main campaign pledges include: conducting a full party membership vote on major party policies, establishing a task force for victory in local elections, innovating the candidate nomination process to be more bottom-up, and reviving local party chapters.

He also made it clear that he opposes the personnel purges proposed by pro-impeachment leadership candidates or the party's reform committee. Kim stated, "If we claim to innovate the party but reduce our seats to 100, it will only lead to constitutional amendments for long-term rule," adding, "We must protect the People Power Party, which is the only party that can save the country." He emphasized, "If we had joined forces with Lee Junseok, who was the candidate at the last presidential election, we could have easily won."

Regarding the far-right controversy surrounding Jeon Hangil, Kim Moonsoo drew a line. He said, "There can be a diversity of opinions within the party," and argued, "As long as there are no unconstitutional issues, we should keep the doors open and not exclude anyone." He continued, "Whether it is Jeong Cheongrae, the Democratic Party leadership candidate, or anyone else who labels me as far-right, I am willing to have a thorough debate."

Yonhap News

Another anti-impeachment candidate, lawmaker Jang Donghyuk, also made remarks targeting the hardline base during an appearance on the conservative YouTube channel Goseongguk TV on the same day. Jeon Hangil also participated as a panelist on the broadcast. Regarding suspicions about election fraud, Jang stated, "If I become party leader, I will create a forum for open debate." He added, "I will abolish the early voting system, extend the main voting period, and improve the system so that ballots are counted by hand at polling stations."