Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, has fallen into a dilemma regarding the rerouting of his relationship with former President Yoon Suk-yeol. While a clear delineation is necessary as expansion of the center is urgently needed, he cannot completely disregard his political base known as "concrete right."
He has maintained a basic stance on the impeachment situation while soothing the traditional conservative support base, and is strategically attempting to capture moderate votes through Chairperson Kim Yong-tae, who has reformist conservative tendencies.
On the morning of the 13th, after a rally for the Daegu and North Gyeongsang Province campaign committee, Kim spoke with reporters about his stance on the actions regarding former President Yoon's expulsion, saying, "Whether the president leaves the party or not is his own will," and added, "The party also has a responsibility. The party cannot absolve itself of responsibility by expelling the president, and that would not be right."
Essentially, he has upheld his previous stance since announcing his candidacy for the presidential election.
However, regarding the martial law situation, he bowed his head again, saying, "I sincerely apologize to the people." On the 8th, during a debate hosted by the Kwanhun Club, Kim had also said, "The martial law was truly wrong," apologizing.
Overall, there is still a cautious atmosphere regarding the expression of his position on the relationship with former President Yoon.
Political circles cite Kim's congenital limitations as a reason. Kim emerged as a representative figure of the 'anti-impeachment faction' during the impeachment phase and maintained this position to secure the party's final candidacy.
He himself recently stated during a campaign, "When members of the National Assembly asked, ‘Isn't this a rebellion?’ I said I would rather die than lie, and the people made me a presidential candidate like this." It seems that there is a consideration that a sudden change in position could weaken the very justification for his candidacy.
Additionally, it seems to reflect the intention to strengthen the fragile internal party base exposed by the 'candidate replacement situation' by aligning with the so-called "concrete right" hardline conservative forces.
At the recent Kwanhun Club debate, Kim said, "When the country is in danger, just as the righteous army revives the nation, we must communicate and join hands with those who say they will save the country from the plaza."
However, within the party, there are rising voices calling for renewal and change to expand the party's outreach. In particular, on the 11th, former President Yoon posted a message supporting Kim, saying, "I will stand with you until the end to protect the country's liberal democracy," which has intensified calls for his expulsion.
Han Dong-hoon, the former representative of the People Power Party who participated in the runoff, recently pressed Kim by proposing ▲ an apology for the martial law and impeachment opposition ▲ severing ties with former President Yoon and measures for expulsion.
Accordingly, there is keen interest in how Kim will utilize the card of Chairperson Kim Yong-tae, who was born in 1990.
Kim said the day before regarding the demand for an apology over opposition to impeachment, "We need to discuss to what extent and in what form we will apologize with Chairperson Kim." The very fact that he appointed Kim, who participated in the resolution to demand the lifting of martial law on December 3rd, reflects an intention to accommodate calls for change within the party.
Consistent with this, Chairperson Kim announced that once he is officially appointed as the head of the emergency committee through the National Committee, a stance on the impeachment situation and the relationship with former President Yoon will be expressed.
He stated to reporters that "There are parts being coordinated with the candidates and the campaign committee within the party. I will help derive a consensus within the party to make judgments that align with the common sense of the people," and it has been reported that discussions are underway regarding recommending former President Yoon to leave the party.
Political commentator Choi Soo-young remarked, "Kim is only making fundamental remarks about the issues of impeachment and former President Yoon, while Chairperson Kim continues to send messages of apology and reflection, employing a two-track strategy. In this case, the potential for moderate expansion might decline a bit, but there could be a shift in position when a crucial moment arises at the end."