Kim Moonsoo Selects Han Donghoon Over Jeon Hangil for Nomination
Jang Donghyuk: "A Matter of Personal Courtesy"
Kim Moonsoo, former Minister of Employment and Labor, who advanced to the final round of the People Power Party leadership race, stated during the final televised debate held on August 23 that he would nominate former party leader Han Donghoon over Jeon Hangil, a conservative YouTuber and former Korean history lecturer, as a candidate.
On the 22nd, at Cheongju Osco in Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju, Chungbuk, Kim Moonsoo and Jang Donghyuk, candidates for the party leader who advanced to the final round of the 6th People Power Party Convention, waved their hands. Photo by Yonhap News
During the 6th Party Convention leadership candidate debate held at the Channel A studio in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Kim was asked, "If you had to nominate either former leader Han or Mr. Jeon in next year's election, whom would you choose?" He chose Han Donghoon.
He explained, "Former leader Han not only served as our party’s leader, but he also has great potential ahead of him. It is right to nominate him in a position where he can lead the party to victory," adding, "Han Donghoon is one of the party's key assets." In a previous debate on August 19, when asked the same question regarding a by-election next year, Assemblyman Jang Donghyuk had chosen Jeon Hangil.
Kim also said he would join forces with hardline conservative figures such as Pastor Jun Kwanghoon and former Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyoahn. He emphasized, "To fight against the Lee Jaemyung dictatorship, we must unite with many different groups and forces," and added, "We must join hands with anyone who can defeat the Lee Jaemyung dictatorship, without drawing lines or distinctions."
Assemblyman Jang stated that if he becomes party leader, he would visit former President Yoon Sukyeol, who is currently detained at Seoul Detention Center. When asked, "If you become party leader, will you visit former President Yoon and his wife?" he replied, "I said I would visit them as a matter of personal courtesy, and I intend to keep that promise."
He added, "I’m not sure if visits or meetings are currently allowed," but stressed, "There are many calls for the party to sever ties with former President Yoon, but what the party should sever ties with are the past wrongdoings and problematic incidents."
The People Power Party held its 6th Party Convention at Cheongju Osco in Cheongju, Chungbuk, the previous day, selecting former Minister Kim and Assemblyman Jang as the final candidates. As no candidate secured a majority, the top two candidates will face off in the final round. Pro-impeachment lawmakers Ahn Cheolsoo and Cho Kyungtae were eliminated.
The People Power Party will conduct a mobile and ARS vote among party members and a public opinion poll from August 24 to 25 to determine the final winner. As in the main primary, the final vote will be weighted 80% from party member votes and 20% from the public opinion poll. The final result will be announced at the National Assembly Library on August 26.
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