Han Dong-hoon, the former leader of the People Power Party, said on the 18th that the party should change its stance against impeachment due to martial law before the presidential candidate debate.
He also stated that the party should sever ties with former President Yoon Suk-yeol and draw a line with extremist groups such as the Liberty Unification Party.
On that day, the former leader urged on his Facebook, "To reverse the situation (such as approval ratings), a decision by Candidate Kim Moon-soo is necessary before the presidential candidate debate on May 18th," and called for the implementation of these three actions.
He emphasized that the party's official position against impeachment should officially shift beyond an apology for martial law.
The day before, Kim Yong-tae, the newly appointed emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, stated that he would advise former President Yoon Suk-yeol to resign from the party. He added that he would institutionalize three principles regarding party relations: cooperation between the party and the government, separation of the party and the government, and prohibition of partisanship, into the party constitution and regulations.
Chairman Kim said, "The party showed its resolute will. Now it’s time for the former leader to respond."
The demand from the former leader for substantive personnel cleanup and a clear attitude shift regarding past issues, as well as disconnection from extremist forces, seems to be interpreted as a strategy aimed at blocking the influence of the pro-Yoon faction and extremist forces while pursuing conservative integration and a centrist expansion strategy.
The former leader appealed, "It is neither the attitude of a public worker nor, beyond that, a shortcut to handing over South Korea to the dangerous and incompetent Lee Jae-myung to deviate towards personal loyalty rather than public righteousness."
He reiterated that this decision must be made before the debate on the 18th. The former leader said, "It is not too late yet. After the 18th, it will be too late. I offer stern advice to prevent the annihilation of conservatism," adding, "Even if Candidate Kim does not make a decision, I will fight against Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party with all my strength, but if a decision is not made, we cannot win."