Anti-Impeachment and Pro-Impeachment Camps Clash at Regional Rally
Kim Moonsoo and Jang Donghyuk Emphasize Resistance,
While Cho Kyungtae and Ahn Cheolsoo Call for a Break from Extremists
On August 13, at a joint rally for the Chungcheong and Honam regions held in Daejeon, the People Power Party leadership candidates fiercely clashed, dividing into two camps: those opposing the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol ("anti-impeachment") and those supporting it ("pro-impeachment").
Kim Moonsoo, representing the anti-impeachment camp, criticized President Lee Jaemyung and the Democratic Party, emphasizing a confrontational stance against the current administration. Jang Donghyuk, meanwhile, highlighted the unfairness of the special prosecutor's investigation and directly attacked the pro-impeachment candidates.
Kim stated, "President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife have been arrested, and today, the special prosecutor even raided the proud People Power Party headquarters," adding, "This is a terrorist act, throwing a bomb into our party convention."
He continued, "If I become party leader, I will form a fact-finding committee to investigate human rights abuses related to the three special prosecutor cases against the Lee Jaemyung administration," emphasizing, "We must join hands with all citizens who oppose Lee Jaemyung's dictatorship and rise up not only in the National Assembly but across the country to fight back."
Jang said, "For the first time in constitutional history, a former president and their spouse have been imprisoned together. Compared to former Minister Cho Kuk, this is not fair," adding, "It is shameful that we remain silent, fearing we will be labeled as collaborators in a rebellion, even as we witness former President Yoon being thrown into prison and his rights trampled."
He continued, "It is also shameful to betray the People Power Party and our comrades by claiming there are collaborators within our ranks," and argued, "Those who were criticized as 'Yoon Again' and pointed at by Jeon Hangil last winter were the ones who tried to protect our party."
On the other hand, pro-impeachment candidates Cho Kyungtae and Ahn Cheolsoo urged a clear break from extremist forces who defend the December 3 Martial Law.
Cho said, "The reason our party is in crisis is because of former President Yoon's illegal martial law," adding, "We must completely sever ties with the betrayers, Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, who have ruined our party."
He emphasized, "Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife are the betrayers who turned the People Power Party into a monster and reduced the ruling party to the level of the opposition. If I become leader, I will expel every single far-right extremist remaining in our party."
Ahn stated, "If we side with extremists and defend martial law, all reasonable conservative members will leave, and even if we unite, our approval rating won't reach 30%. If we leave this time bomb of extremism unchecked, no matter how much we criticize the Lee Jaemyung administration, our approval ratings will not rise, and next year's local elections will be a disaster."
He continued, "Only by breaking with those who defend martial law and extremist forces can we stand up to Lee Jaemyung's plot to dissolve our party. To break free from the shackles of martial law and extremism, we must sever ties with the real betrayers who deceive party members with agitation."
Candidates for the Supreme Council also engaged in heated debate over the issue of "betrayal." Some argued that following the ruling party's rebellion narrative is betrayal, while others claimed that blocking party reform is the true betrayal.
Shin Dongwook said, "The special prosecutor is driving us into a corner, labeling us as a rebellious party, and some are acting as accomplices in this witch hunt," adding, "This is betrayal. I believe this convention will judge the betrayers."
In contrast, Kim Geunsik said, "While we can stand together in opposing impeachment, we cannot stand with those who defend martial law," and questioned, "When I urged the president to resolve the issue with Mrs. Kim ahead of last year's general election, was that internal sabotage?"
As in the first and second rallies held in Daegu and Busan, supporters again shouted and jeered at candidates with opposing views during their speeches, calling them "traitors" and demanding they "step down."
When Jang became emotional and teared up during his speech, some supporters were also moved to tears. On the other hand, supporters of the pro-impeachment camp shouted "traitor" at Jang.
Jeon Hangil, who was banned from entering the convention after causing a disturbance at the first rally on August 8, was again barred from entering the venue on this day, as he was during the second rally the previous day, and instead broadcast live from outside the event.
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