Kim Moonsoo Advances to Runoff for Party Leader with Jang Donghyuk
Calls for “Harmony” with Eliminated Rivals Ahn Cheolsoo and Cho Kyungtae
Kim Moonsoo, a candidate who advanced to the runoff in the People Power Party's new party leader election, emphasized on the 22nd, "I have spent my entire life fighting, so I am someone who has internalized the ways to defeat the Lee Jaemyung administration." He also reached out to his former rivals, Ahn Cheolsoo and Cho Kyungtae, and their supporters, saying, "I believe people like them are needed in our party."
On the 22nd, at the People Power Party's 6th National Convention held at Cheongju Osco in Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Kim Moonsoo, a candidate for party leader, is speaking after successfully advancing to the final round. Photo by Yonhap News
After the 6th National Convention held at Cheongju Osco in Chungbuk on the afternoon of the 22nd, Kim spoke to reporters and said, "People who have never fought keep talking about struggle, but I want to ask who, besides Kim Moonsoo, can actually defeat the Democratic Party and President Lee Jaemyung."
At the convention that day, Kim Moonsoo and Jang Donghyuk defeated Cho Kyungtae and Ahn Cheolsoo to advance to the runoff for party leader. The People Power Party only announced the names of the candidates advancing to the runoff, without disclosing their rankings or vote percentages.
Regarding his strategy for the runoff, Kim said, "I think everyone will agree on who is capable of fighting against Lee Jaemyung's dictatorship and defeating the Democratic Party." He added, "If we highlight these points well, I expect a good result."
Kim emphasized that, if he becomes party leader, he will influence both domestic and international public opinion to respond to the Lee Jaemyung administration. He said, "It is difficult for our party to achieve victory through parliamentary struggle alone. Unjust laws keep passing, and aside from filibusters, we have few options. I will combine parliamentary and extra-parliamentary struggles."
He continued, "I will lead a broad, nationwide resistance movement," adding, "We need to join forces with people outside the party."
When asked how he would unify the party if elected leader, Kim replied, "First, we need to meet often and have many conversations. Cutting people off like cancer cells is not democracy."
Regarding cooperation with Ahn Cheolsoo and Cho Kyungtae, who were eliminated from the party leader race, he said, "I have long-standing relationships with both of them, and I believe people like them are necessary within the party." He added, "Some other candidates argue for cutting out such people like cancer cells, but I think it is important to harmonize and move forward together."
On not securing a majority of votes despite being the People Power Party's final candidate in the June 3 presidential election, Kim said, "Our party not only has me but also many outstanding young politicians like Jang Donghyuk. The fact that I did not surpass 50% means that the People Power Party has a future."
Since none of the four candidates secured a majority of votes, the top two candidates will compete again in the runoff. After a TV debate on the 23rd and a runoff vote on the 24th and 25th, the final party leader will be confirmed at the National Assembly Library auditorium on the 26th.
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