A significant number of candidates running for the Supreme Council in the People Power Party's 8·22 National Convention are individuals who have defended martial law or opposed impeachment. Although the convention was initially seen as an opportunity to overcome the political crisis triggered by martial law, impeachment, and the subsequent presidential election defeat, it is now facing criticism for reverting to the past.
With candidate registration for the People Power Party's national convention closing on July 31, fifteen candidates have declared their intention to run for the four Supreme Council seats. Among the incumbents, Shin Dongwook and Choi Sujin have entered the race.
The People Power Party began accepting candidate registrations on the 30th for the party leader and Supreme Council member elections at the 6th party convention to be held on the 22nd of next month. Yonhap News
Among non-incumbents, Kim Geunsik, head of the Songpa-byeong district party committee in Seoul, former spokesperson Kim Minsu, attorney Kim Soyeon, former Supreme Council member Kim Jaewon, former Gangseo-gu mayor in Seoul Kim Taewoo, former Liberty Korea Party Supreme Council member Ryu Yeohae, and former lawmakers Yang Hyangja and Hong Seokjoon are running.
Except for former lawmaker Yang Hyangja and district committee head Kim Geunsik, most of the candidates are generally classified as anti-impeachment figures. Former Supreme Council member Ryu Yeohae was expelled from the party by the ethics committee in 2017 for defaming former leader Hong Junpyo. Attorney Kim Soyeon previously represented Myung Taegyun, a key figure in the alleged intervention of former President Yoon Sukyeol and his wife in the party’s nomination process. Former spokesperson Kim Minsu resigned from his position due to controversy over remarks defending martial law, and former Supreme Council member Kim Jaewon was suspended from party membership for one year following a series of controversial statements.
There are concerns that if an anti-impeachment leadership is formed, the party may drift further from innovation and moderate voters. Ahn Cheolsoo, a lawmaker running for party leader, expressed concern the previous day, saying, "What will happen if the People Power Party leadership is made up of a pro-Han Gil party leader, a Supreme Council member from the Enlightenment Order, and a Yoon Again youth leader?" A senior People Power Party lawmaker commented in a phone interview, "This convention should be a competition for innovation, but it is unfortunate that the image of returning to the past is so strong."
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