“How much have you all worried, citizens? I will make a big vow to do better. I have many shortcomings, but I would be grateful if you accept my great vow for the Republic of Korea and for the happiness of the people.”
At 3 p.m. on the 11th, in the main building of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Kim Moon-soo, the candidate of the People Power Party who lost his qualifications to run for president and returned in less than a day, knelt down with his hands on the floor and bowed his head deeply.
Upon this, continuous standing ovations erupted among the members of the same party present at the general assembly.
Returning to the podium, Candidate Kim emphasized that “now is the time to embrace the wounds of the past and move forward together toward the future,” highlighting the need for “one team.”
The People Power Party, which caused a stir over the so-called 'candidate replacement' issue, has regrouped and is officially gearing up for 'election mode.' Although there are only about 20 days left until the 6th and 3rd presidential elections, they have positioned themselves at the starting line.
After the candidate replacement motion was rejected in a vote among all party members the day before, Candidate Kim declared, “I will embrace everyone and build a big tent against Lee Jae-myung,” emphasizing the 'external enemy' of Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea, in an effort to unify internal conflicts.
On the morning of the 11th, Candidate Kim completed his candidate registration at the National Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province.
He quickly began forming the party's election countermeasures committee (campaign committee). First, he appointed four-term lawmaker Park Dae-chul as the secretary-general overseeing election operations.
The appointment of the secretary-general is understood to signal the official start of election preparations to both the public and internally, while also highlighting his 'priority in party affairs' as a presidential candidate.
He rapidly fostered a 'mood of reconciliation' with Candidate Han. Many party members wanted unification with Candidate Han, and it seems he aims to embrace them and heal the wounds of party members and voters who were disappointed during the internal strife.
That day, Candidate Kim welcomed Candidate Han with a bright expression when Han visited his camp, and Han opened his arms and hugged Kim. Then, Candidate Kim repeatedly lowered his head and said, “Oh, I will take good care of you.”
Candidate Kim suggested to Candidate Han that he serve as the chair of the campaign committee, stating, “I will regard you as a mentor.”
Candidate Kim also attended the first meeting of the campaign committee that afternoon. At this meeting, he emphasized 'integration and harmony,' saying, “There is not much time left. I will work hard as if my life depends on it.”
However, the aftermath of the candidate replacement issue continues. Within the party, there are voices attributing responsibility not only to Kwon Young-se, who expressed his intention to voluntarily resign as chair of the emergency committee but also to Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader, and Lee Yang-soo, the secretary-general.
Additionally, voices have emerged calling for Candidate Kim, who is viewed as part of the 'anti-Yoon Seok-youl' faction, to apologize for the state of emergency and impeachment politics under former President Yoon Seok-youl. Yang Hyang-ja, the co-chair of the People Power Party, posted an SNS message of support for former President Yoon and Candidate Kim, saying, “If the presidential race becomes a contest between Yoon Seok-youl and Lee Jae-myung, we will surely fail,” and noted, “To overcome this, he must solemnly apologize to the public regarding the state of emergency.”
Candidate Kim is expected to tighten his stance for an offensive against Lee Jae-myung, the candidate of the Democratic Party of Korea.
As the registration of candidates closed that day, the 'presidential candidate lineup' has also been finalized, and it is expected that the official campaign, which stakes political destiny, will commence over the next 22 days.