Kim Sang-wook, a prominent member of the 'impeachment supporters' within the People Power Party, urged the party leadership on the 21st to immediately expel former President Yoon Suk-yeol and promised to draw a line in unifying with Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. He noted that if they reject the request, he would "consider his position," suggesting the possibility of leaving the People Power Party.
On the afternoon of that day, Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly's communication center and stated, "As the People Power Party is a conservative party, it must set an example and be thorough in maintaining its principles. As a party responsible for the 12-3 incident, it should be even more so. However, the party's behavior after the president's dismissal during the early presidential election phase has been far from adhering to these principles," adding, "However, the current situation is only bringing disappointment and frustration to the supporters."
He then requested the party leadership to ▲ expel former President Yoon immediately ▲ provide a true public apology regarding the 12-3 incident and promise to prevent a recurrence ▲ promise against colluding with Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who did not participate in the primary ▲ expedite agreement and propose measures to resolve urgent livelihood difficulties triggered by the 12-3 incident.
Kim stated, "The beginning of our party's approach to this presidential election should be the expulsion of the president. Additionally, it should be a sincere public apology that is accompanied by actions," and he emphasized, "Without the expulsion of the president and a heartfelt public apology alongside it, our party cannot achieve any results in the presidential election."
Regarding Han, he criticized, "It is collusion for multiple members of the National Assembly to discuss encouraging Acting Prime Minister Han, who has neither participated in the primary nor joined the party, to run for president while remaining based on the premise of unification with him, who has passed the primary in our party."
He continued, "Han's candidacy is his own freedom," and asked, "If he runs, he should go as an independent; if he unifies with the People Power Party, what meaning does our party's primary process have?"
Kim emphasized, "There must be an expulsion of the (former) president and a public apology before the internal primaries are over for our party to be able to participate in the election for the presidential election," requesting the party leadership to respond to four issues by the 3rd of next month, when the primary concludes.
He also hinted at the possibility of leaving the party if it does not accept the requests. After the press conference, he told reporters, "This early presidential election is a turning point to judge whether the party can conduct healthy conservative politics or if it will remain trapped in this far-right image, stuck in nepotistic politics or group politics without further development opportunities," adding, "Although the hope for the party to be healthy is fading, I will consider my position."