"A huge dictatorship, under the name of the Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung's personal dictatorship is heading toward total control. We have reached the second stage of democratization to rescue this country from totalitarian dictatorship." (Kim Moon-soo, People Power Party presidential candidate)
On the 22nd, Kim Moon-soo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, targeted Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea presidential candidate, saying, "If you become a bulletproof president and turn this country into totalitarianism, there will be no brakes to control it, so there is no way to stop it," calling for a "second democratic revolution."
He announced a "political reshuffle" pledge, aimed at shortening the presidential term to 3 years for the 21st president, thereby aligning the presidential and National Assembly terms to 4 years, and reducing the number of National Assembly members by 10%. By promising to abolish the president's immunity privilege and appoint a special inspector recommended by the opposition, he seems to be pressuring Lee Jae-myung, while also trying to embrace former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had faced a "candidate replacement situation" and revitalize the constitutional amendment alliance.
At around 9:10 a.m. that day, Candidate Kim appeared in the basement of the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Former Democratic Party leader Son Hak-kyu also made a surprise appearance. Former leader Son is a political elder from the conservative and democratic circles, having served as the leader of the old Democratic Party and the Bareunmirae Party.
Candidate Kim introduced, "He came to help us with political reform and to guide me regarding my shortcomings." It is known that former leader Son and Candidate Kim have a friendship based on their common background of being graduates of Seoul National University and having a history in student movements, as well as having served as governors of Gyeonggi Province.
Candidate Kim criticized, "A huge dictatorship, under the name of the Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung's personal dictatorship is heading toward total control, where power separation does not exist, and there is no democracy within the party. Strange things that infringe on various powers of the law happen between the ruling and opposition parties."
He continued, "(Candidate Lee Jae-myung) is trying to avoid punishment by changing the law and doing absurd bulletproof legislation to become a bulletproof president, leading this country to totalitarianism and a land of misfortune," stating, "At that point, there will be no brakes to control it, so there is no way to stop it."
He added, "We have come to the second stage of democratization to rescue this country from totalitarian dictatorship," expressing concern about whether this election will achieve Korea's second democratization or lead to complete totalitarianism.
He expressed a strong will to promote political reform, such as significantly reducing the powers of the imperial presidential system. Specifically, he promised to ▲ shorten the presidential term to 3 years to align the presidential and National Assembly terms ▲ push for constitutional amendments for a 4-year presidential term limit ▲ establish the 'no parachute law' to prevent parachute appointments in public institutions ▲ introduce a 'Korea-style Plum Book' system to select the qualification criteria for presidential appointees through discussions between the ruling and opposition parties ▲ abolish the president's immunity privilege and introduce a special inspector system recommended by the opposition ▲ reduce the number of National Assembly members by 10% ▲ abolish the immunity privilege for National Assembly members and introduce a national recall system for them.
Former leader Son, holding the microphone, declared his support for Candidate Kim, stating that he must become president for constitutional amendments, political reform, and economic growth.
He stated, "Honestly, I supported former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo before Candidate Kim Moon-soo. (Former Prime Minister Han said he would) 'serve for 3 years while amending the constitution, preparing for the 7th Republic, and then step down.'" He continued, "Anyway, in the process of unifying, Kim Moon-soo won. There are only 18 days left until the presidential election. We must save this country by any means. For that, there is only Candidate Kim Moon-soo," as he firmly grasped Kim's hand and lifted it.
He criticized, "The theory of Lee Jae-myung's dominance sweeping the world is an official story. But can Lee Jae-myung really save Korea in this crisis? Can the economy be revived with local currency? It is said that Candidate Lee Jae-myung has never visited the U.S. military base in Pyeongtaek during his 4 years as governor of Gyeonggi Province. Can a person like that protect Korea's security?"
Former leader Son particularly mentioned, "If Candidate Lee Jae-myung becomes president, he will put the executive, legislative, and judicial branches all under his control," adding, "If our country continues like this, democracy will completely collapse, and there is a risk of total control of the three branches. We must protect democracy and security and revive the economy," reiterating his call for support of Candidate Kim. However, he stated that he would not take on any role in the party's election strategy committee and that he would serve as a loyal supporter, saying, "If I can help, I will go anywhere and come out at any time to do anything."