Amid internal conflicts surrounding the next leadership system and party reforms following the presidential election defeat, the People Power Party has kicked off the race for the next floor leader. Kim Sung-won, a three-term lawmaker from Dongducheon, Yangju, and Yeoncheon, and Song Eon-seok, a lawmaker from Gyeongbuk Gimcheon, declared their candidacy on the 12th, both shouting for "party change and renewal." However, there were subtle differences in their positions regarding the intensity and methods of reform.
On the same day, lawmakers Song and Kim held back-to-back press conferences and issued their challenges for the floor leader election scheduled for the 16th.
◇Song Eon-seok: "Recovering trust as a policy-oriented party" Kim Sung-won: "A vigorous start as a new conservative"
Song promised, "I will solve the pain of the people caused by the serious economic situation and livelihood issues, and overcome the turmoil within the party." He added, "The public demands clear change and genuine reform from the People Power Party. The exhausted politics of conflict and intrigue are no longer wanted. I hope the People Power Party will transform into a strong policy-oriented party that presents solutions for people's livelihoods and the economy," emphasizing a focus on becoming a "policy-oriented party."
He also stated that the party would aim to monitor and respond to the overreach and populism of the Lee Jae-myung government on a departmental basis, based on the high policy expertise of People Power Party lawmakers, and will present practical and responsible alternatives for the people and the economy. Additionally, he promised to build a "policy network" that organically connects the National Assembly's standing committees, policy committees, and local councils, establishing a system where local residents' demands lead to policy discussions at the National Assembly level.
Furthermore, he highlighted the need for "integration," stating, "I will listen to various voices within the party through balanced appointive positions and will implement leadership that fosters unity and trust, regardless of ideology or thoughts."
Kim stated, "Now is the time to reflect deeply on the past mistakes and to embark on a vigorous start as a new conservative," pledging to rebuild conservatism and broaden its outreach with principles of rational conservatism and centrist values.
Kim also noted, "The shattered myth that 'economic growth is conservative' is likely one of the most significant reasons for the presidential election defeat," and vowed to transform into a policy-oriented party, saying, "We must regain the public's trust as a 'capable and stable conservative' through the presentation of rational alternatives."
He cited establishing internal party democracy as a core task, saying, "Because our internal party democracy has not operated properly, it has led to a gap between public sentiment and party sentiment" and added, "I will work to build a party culture where the internal democracy system operates normally." Regarding specific directions, he explained, "Before going to the general assembly, we will aim to achieve some level of consensus in groups while listening to many opinions, and we will complement each other's differing views," stating, "If there was a top-down approach, we will try a new method."
◇Regarding the causes of the election defeat, Song Eon-seok: "We announced our candidate too late" vs. Kim Sung-won: "Martial law and impeachment"
Regarding the main causes of the election defeat, there were subtle differences in perception between the two candidates. Song said, "We announced our candidate too late. The process of announcing the candidate did not appear favorable to the public, and that might be one of the reasons for our defeat," pointing directly to the "candidate replacement situation" as a reason.
Kim stated in his declaration, "Martial law and impeachment are the direct causes of the election defeat." However, when meeting with reporters, he remarked, "Ultimately, it was a problem for all of us."
Both candidates were cautious in assessing the proposed five major reform plans put forth by Kim Yong-tae, the emergency chairperson. The new floor leader to be elected will hold the power to appoint the emergency chairperson, which is key to determining the leadership structure until the next national party convention is held. The floor leader may take on the role of acting party leader, or there are options to form a new emergency committee before the next party convention takes place. The issue of Kim's tenure, which lasts until the 30th, may also be determined by the next floor leader.
Song stated that the leadership, including Chairperson Kim, should first resign en masse to take responsibility for the election defeat, after which they should discuss whether to reappoint him. Song mentioned that he would approach the question of whether to appoint a new emergency chairperson or take on the role of acting party leader after becoming the floor leader.
Kim also indicated, "The leadership structure is not a decision for just the floor leader to make," and added, "I will gather the consensus of the lawmakers to make a decision."
◇Regarding the invalidation of the party line against impeachment, Song Eon-seok: "What about the six-month effort?" Kim Sung-won: "Further discussions to come"
They expressed clear opposition to the proposals of "invalidation of the party line against impeachment" and "conducting an inspection of party affairs related to candidate replacement" suggested by Chairperson Kim.
Song stated, "For nearly the past six months, both our party lawmakers and the supporters of our party have been continuously active under the party line against impeachment. If we change the party line belatedly, what happens to the efforts made by lawmakers, party members, and citizens during the past six months? That is something we need to consider."
Regarding the inspection of party affairs, he said, "I don't know when it will happen, but there may be parts that could be perceived as having a slightly different intention," and added, "When wounds are present, they need to be protected until they heal. If we keep aggravating them, the wounds will become larger. We need to consider those aspects."
Kim commented on Chairperson Kim's reform plan, stating, "I don't think it is appropriate to say what is right or wrong from the candidate's perspective," and promised to clarify his stance during the presentation on the 16th. He added, "All five aspects are interlinked. All lawmakers agree on the direction that the party needs to change and innovate. However, there are opinions to be more careful about the procedures and the impact of the implementation process. I think we should discuss and form these opinions together as we move forward."
Song, a former second vice minister of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, currently serves as the party's floor leader and is the chairperson of the National Assembly's Strategy and Finance Committee. While he is a lawmaker from the TK (Daegu/Gyeongbuk) region, he is evaluated as having a relatively weak factional affiliation.
Kim is a rare three-term lawmaker from the metropolitan area within the party. He has served as the secretary of the Special Committee on Budget & Accounts, a senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, and deputy chair of the Organization Committee. In the last presidential election, he was the chief political strategist for Han Dong-hoon’s camp, but he is considered to have a faint factional affiliation.
All of them are expected to receive support from the former pro-Yun and pro-Han factions, but they refuted the perception of a factional proxy battle. Song stated, "I am not pro-Yun," and emphasized, "(Factional competition) is an insulting frame towards our party." Kim also stressed, "I did not enter the floor leader election for any specific faction within the party."
Meanwhile, four-term lawmaker Kim Do-eup (Busan Gangseo), who had been mentioned as a candidate for floor leader, announced today that he would not run. Six-term lawmaker Jo Kyung-tae, five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won, and four-term lawmaker Park Dae-chul are also mentioned as potential candidates.