Kim Moonsoo: "If There Is Consensus on Blocking the Lee Administration, I Will Ally With Anyone" [People Power Party Leadership Candidate Interview]

Former Presidential Candidate Runs for People Power Party Leadership
"Far-right Party Criticism Is a Frame Created by the Democratic Party"
Flexible on Alliances with Plaza Groups Such as Jeon Hangil

Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor and a candidate for the next leadership of the People Power Party, stated in an interview with Asia Economy on August 7, 2025, "Now is the time to unite under the spirit of the era, which is to block Lee Jaemyung's totalitarian dictatorship." He added, "As long as there is consensus on stopping the Lee Jaemyung administration, I am willing to form alliances with anyone." He argued that the party should expand its base and strengthen its ability to fight against the ruling bloc, without drawing boundaries with groups such as Jeon Hangil's plaza movement or religious organizations, which have recently been the subject of controversy.

Kim advanced to the main race of the party leadership election after passing the first preliminary round alongside lawmakers Jang Donghyuk, Cho Kyungtae, and Ahn Cheolsoo. He is considered to have an advantage over other candidates in terms of recognition and competitiveness, having received 41% of the vote as the People Power Party candidate in the last presidential election. Kim reiterated, "The core of this party convention is to unite the party and form a leadership capable of fighting strongly against Lee Jaemyung's totalitarian dictatorship."

Former Minister of Employment and Labor and People Power Party presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo emphasized in an interview with Asia Economy on the 7th, "I will transform the People Power Party into a party that strongly fights against Lee Jae-myung's totalitarian dictatorship." Photo provided by Kim Moonsoo campaign team

The following is a Q&A with Kim Moonsoo.

-How do you assess the current situation facing the People Power Party?

▲Not only the party, but the entire liberal Republic of Korea is facing a serious crisis. The Lee Jaemyung administration has seized control of the legislative, judicial, and executive branches, and is pushing through the three broadcasting laws (Broadcasting Act, Foundation for Broadcast Culture Act, and Korea Educational Broadcasting System Act) in an attempt to control the media, which is essential for even minimal checks and balances. The Democratic Party of Korea is accusing the main opposition party of rebellion and is carrying out political terror through three special prosecutors. But what about our party? We are divided into factions and pointing fingers at each other. Due to internal division, we are failing to fight properly against Lee Jaemyung's totalitarian dictatorship, and the crisis is only deepening.

-There is criticism that the party has become a Yeongnam-based, far-right party. There are also far-right allegations against you as a candidate. What is your position?

▲This is a frame created by the Democratic Party. I will not fall into that trap. Even though Jeong Cheongrae, who is like a terrorist, is the leader of the Democratic Party, no such criticism is directed at them. Who, then, is truly far-right? There are no far-right elements in our party.

-You have said you would use a party-wide vote to decide major party policies. Some say this would not properly reflect the voices of so-called Joongsucheong (moderates, capital region, youth). What is your response?

▲In the last presidential election, party members used their votes to correct the attempt to replace the candidate in an undemocratic manner. Party members have thus firmly established intra-party democracy in the most democratic way possible. Such cases are rare in history. Therefore, I do not believe that a party-wide vote would fail to reflect the voices of certain regions or generations.

-You have said that internal unity itself is innovation. What are your concrete plans?

▲If the party is divided by factions or political interests and fails to fight to defend the liberal Republic of Korea, we will be committing a crime against history. I will unite the party under the cause of blocking Lee Jaemyung's totalitarian dictatorship. Only Kim Moonsoo, who is free from factions and vested interests, can unite the party. With my experience in fighting hard, I can turn the party into an opposition force that fights strongly.

-Jeong Cheongrae, the new Democratic Party leader, does not recognize the People Power Party as a partner for cooperation. How would you respond if you become party leader?

▲I proposed an unlimited debate to Leader Jeong, but he gave an absurd response, saying he does not speak Japanese. He refuses even the minimum effort to be evaluated by the public through an unlimited debate, responding with sarcasm. How can we talk about cooperation in such circumstances? I will fight properly against Jeong Cheongrae's lawless Democratic Party.

-Which bills being pushed by the Lee Jaemyung administration and the Democratic Party do you believe must be blocked?

▲The Yellow Envelope Law (amendments to Articles 2 and 3 of the Trade Union and Labor Relations Adjustment Act), the Commercial Act, and the three broadcasting laws. These are bills that would make Korea a country where businesses cannot operate and would cause chaos in the stock market. The three broadcasting laws are part of Lee Jaemyung's totalitarian dictatorship plan to control the media and eliminate checks and balances. They must be blocked at all costs.

-What is your strategy for next year's local elections?

▲In the 2004 17th general election, as the chair of the nomination management committee, I set aside vested interests and discovered new talent, which earned broad public support. If I become party leader, I will establish a local election planning team and introduce a transparent and fair nomination system. Although it will be a difficult election, I will use my experience to regain public support and win. Truly keeping faith with former President Yoon Sukyeol means transforming the People Power Party into a party that fights strongly against Lee Jaemyung's totalitarian dictatorship and regaining power.