The People Power Party announced on the 6th that it will launch the Election Commission on the 7th and begin preparations for an early presidential election in earnest. Although there were calls within the party for accountability regarding the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, it was decided to reappoint the leadership of ‘Kweon Seong-dong, Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee - Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader.’
On the afternoon of that day, the People Power Party held a general meeting of lawmakers at the National Assembly and, after about two hours of discussing future political responses, reached this consensus, according to floor spokesperson Seo Ji-young.
Seo, the floor spokesperson, noted, “Tomorrow (the 7th), the Emergency Response Committee will prepare and launch the Election Commission (for the early presidential election).”
He added, “The current leadership was reappointed by applause in light of the request to carry out the remaining presidential election schedule.”
After the Constitutional Court's decision to impeach former President Yoon, there were calls within the party for a leadership change. Lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, who has been at the forefront of the anti-impeachment campaign, met with reporters that day and said, “To renew, we need to change the party's face. Leadership change is inevitable.” However, considering the tight schedule for the early presidential election, the consensus was to reappoint Chairperson Kwon and Floor Leader Kwon.
Chairperson Kwon, in closing remarks at the closed-door general meeting, said, “Let us do our best to fulfill the upcoming presidential election schedule. Winning the presidential election is protecting the Republic of Korea, and that is our mission. To achieve this, our party must unite and do our best together,” according to floor spokesperson Seo.
It is said that there was no discussion regarding the primary schedule and rules during the general meeting that day. Floor spokesperson Seo explained, “Concrete discussions about the primary schedule and candidate selection will be announced once the Election Commission is formed.”
Some lawmakers clashed over the issue of the expulsion of former President Yoon and the need to recalibrate relations.
After the general meeting, Lawmaker Jo Gyeong-tae met with reporters and said, “It is not right to support someone who has violated the constitution, so we need to quickly sort out our relationship with former President Yoon. However, it seems that the majority within the party do not share that view.” He pointed out that “the party must show a firm stance that it cannot associate with those who have unconstitutional thoughts.”
On the other hand, Lawmaker Yoon said, “The president will express a position on this (the issue of leaving the party) and it is basic courtesy to give the president time.”
During the general meeting that day and the earlier party senior council meeting, there were also calls for disciplinary action against Lawmaker Kim Sang-wook, who has voiced opposition to the party's stance. In response, floor spokesperson Seo said, “There were opinions regarding the discrepancy with some party principles,” adding, “The general consensus was to leave it to the leadership.”
In response, Lawmaker Jo said, “The one who violated the constitution is not Lawmaker Kim but former President Yoon,” pointing out, “The party's stance has been deemed wrong according to the Constitutional Court ruling, so isn't it irrational for those who opposed the impeachment to be disciplined?”