The People Power Party's permanent advisory group agreed on the 11th that it would be advisable for Chairperson Kim Yong-tae to extend his term until the party convention for electing the next leadership. They assessed that the proposals by Chairperson Kim of 'invalidation of the anti-impeachment party line' and 'internal audit of the candidate replacement issue' could exacerbate divisions within the party, deeming them inappropriate.
Chairperson Kim and the permanent advisory group held a closed meeting for about 90 minutes at a Chinese restaurant located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, starting from 4 p.m. that day.
At the meeting, the permanent advisory group expressed support for Chairperson Kim's term extension.
Spokesperson Kwon Dong-wook mentioned after the meeting that 'the majority opinion, with a few exceptions, was that Chairperson Kim Yong-tae should maintain his position until the party convention, under the premise that the convention should be held as soon as possible.' However, it is noted that no specific timing for the party convention was mentioned.
The advisory group also expressed the common opinion that 'the People Power Party must undergo comprehensive innovation with the resolve to dismantle the party.'
Spokesperson Kwon stated regarding the direction of innovation that 'the division was one of the causes of the defeat in the last presidential election, so we must play all roles in changing the current divided state.'
The permanent advisory group particularly emphasized party integration. In this regard, many attendees expressed negative opinions about the internal audit for clarifying the candidate unification issue proposed by Chairperson Kim and the invalidation of the anti-impeachment party line.
Spokesperson Kwon stated, 'There were many discussions about the integration of the party,' and added, 'It is necessary to be cautious about reviving past issues such as the internal audit on the candidate unification process and the invalidation of the anti-impeachment party line, as they could exacerbate the party’s divisions.'
In response to such opinions, Chairperson Kim replied, 'I will consider various aspects once again,' as reported by Spokesperson Kwon. Chairperson Kim left the meeting without revealing any specific position afterwards.
In the earlier public remarks following the meeting, Chairperson Kim expressed a strong commitment to party reform, stating, 'If we cannot innovate now, the People Power Party will truly be preserved as a relic of the past. We can no longer delay.'
He added, 'As the chairperson of the emergency committee, I will respond not with words but with action. I will change the party’s constitution and delve deeper into the public. Thus, we will pave the way for the People Power Party to become a hope for the people again and to take responsibility for Korea's future.'
In response, the chairman of the permanent advisory group, Jung Ui-hwa, said, 'Our party has brought about a crisis due to divisions among internal factions. As the confrontation between pro-Park and pro-Lee factions escalated, and extreme conflicts between pro-Yoon and anti-Yoon factions unfolded, the public's sentiment has grown cold.'
He added, 'Due to a vague stance on martial law and impeachment, which forgot the spirit of the Constitution, we lost the centrist votes. The defeat in the presidential election, which we could have won, is something we have brought upon ourselves.'
He emphasized that 'most importantly, the party must completely shed its conservative image and be reborn as a new and youthful party,' and commented, 'Although I think the reform plan announced by Chairperson Kim a few days ago needs some refinement regarding the unification process, it has the potential to garner public interest.'
Kweon Seong-dong, the floor leader, was also invited to the meeting, but it is reported that he expressed his intention to decline attendance, as he recently announced his resignation from the floor leader position. Former presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo was also scheduled to attend but could not participate due to the sudden death of his brother.
The meeting was attended by over ten permanent advisers, including Jung Ui-hwa, who requested the meeting, and former representative Kim Mu-sung.