The People Power Party launched its 21st presidential election management committee and began preparations for the presidential election, but it has not drawn a line with former President Yoon Suk-yeol. Yoon's close aides are supported in their nomination of a constitutional judge, and former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, who denied the unconstitutionality of martial law, declared his candidacy with support from both inside and outside the party. Political analysts suggest that the People Power Party leadership is focusing more on the upcoming party convention rather than the presidential election to manage the 'strong supporter base.'
◇“No problem” regarding the appointment of a judge close to Yoon
Kweon Seong-dong, the People Power Party floor leader, said at a press meeting at the National Assembly on the 9th regarding the controversy over Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the acting president, nominating Lee Wan-kyu, the head of the Legislation Office, as a candidate for constitutional judge, that "the acting president can exercise all the powers of the president."
The Democratic Party believes that Han acted politically in nominating a close aide of former President Yoon. Floor leader Kweon remarked, "If that is the logic, then it is problematic to begin with the individuals from the Our Law Research Group recommended by the Democratic Party."
At this point, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik, who was at odds with Representative Lee Jae-myung over the issue of constitutional amendment, changed his stance. Speaker Woo issued a statement saying, "Simultaneous voting for the presidential election and constitutional amendment has become virtually impossible under the current circumstances," and retracted the proposal to hold a constitutional referendum on election day.
He continued, "By nominating a constitutional judge for the president, the acting president Han Duck-soo disregarded the National Assembly and plunged the political landscape into chaos," adding, "It is a difficult situation for stable discussions on constitutional amendment."
◇Former Minister Kim Moon-soo, who declared candidacy, says “martial law itself is not unconstitutional”
On the same day, former Minister Kim Moon-soo, supported by the strong pro-Yoon faction, visited the party leadership ahead of his candidacy declaration. Emergency countermeasures committee chairman Kwon Young-se and floor leader Kweon were in attendance, along with Secretary General Lee Yang-soo. After a closed-door meeting, they moved to the party's conference hall, maintaining a friendly atmosphere. Within the party, there were remarks that it felt like a campaign kickoff.
After declaring his candidacy for the presidential election, former Minister Kim told reporters responding to a question asking him to clarify whether the "Dec. 3 martial law" is unconstitutional, "It is not that martial law itself is unconstitutional," and stated, "The judgment on the means is deemed unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court." He also avoided giving a definitive answer regarding the necessity for the departure or expulsion of former President Yoon from the party, saying, "The party leadership will handle it."
Much of his message that day was directed at the strong supporter base that has been demanding the dismissal of impeachment. Former Minister Kim stated, "We cannot stop here. We must fight again and win," asserting that it is necessary to confront and defeat forces that deny the great achievements of the Republic of Korea. He particularly referenced Representative Lee Jae-myung as a force trying to undermine national identity, calling it "a war on the system."
◇Democratic Party expects windfall… “solve the constitutional amendment crisis”
Some in the political arena remarked, "Yoon Suk-yeol is helping the Democratic Party again." The People Power Party defended the nominations by acting Prime Minister Han, fostering an image as an 'insurrection-sympathizing party' on its own.
A key Democratic Party floor representative noted, "The issue of constitutional amendment related to Representative Lee Jae-myung could have been a liability, but thanks to the acting prime minister's questionable appointment of a close aide of Yoon Suk-yeol, the constitutional amendment controversy has disappeared."
◇Focus seems to be on party leadership rather than the presidential election
Given the circumstances, there are speculations in the political arena that the People Power Party's presidential candidates and veterans are more focused on party leadership rather than the presidential election. This is because party leadership is determined by the strong supporter base, and due to the inability to clearly separate themselves from former President Yoon in the presidential primary, this atmosphere persists.
Most of the individuals who have declared their candidacy or are forecasted to run are also considered potential contenders for the upcoming party leadership. This includes former Minister Kim, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, as well as lawmakers Na Kyung-won, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Kim Gi-hyeon, who have all established their presence as 'anti-impeachment' figures during the impeachment crisis.
The concerns of People Power Party lawmakers from the metropolitan area have deepened. The gap between party sentiment and public sentiment in the metropolitan area remains significant. Some of these lawmakers are reportedly meeting directly with representatives from the traditional conservative strongholds of TK (Daegu and North Gyeongsang) and PK (Busan and South Gyeongsang) to persuade them, stating that "they must consider their competitiveness in the main election."
A People Power Party lawmaker from the metropolitan area said in a phone conversation, "Party leadership is a later issue," adding, "If Representative Lee Jae-myung becomes president, all People Power Party lawmakers will face political retribution and be accused of crimes." He continued, "Former Minister Kim is an excellent person, but is he going to compete only with the 'Kim Moon-soo card'? I am persuading other lawmakers that we need to consider the main election."