On May 9, 2025, the People Power Party (PPP) faced a significant internal crisis as tensions escalated over the potential unification of presidential candidates Kim Moon-soo and Han Deok-soo. With the deadline for an agreement looming, the party's leadership announced plans to convene an emergency countermeasures committee and a party election management committee to initiate procedures for re-electing candidates if no consensus was reached.
The night of May 9 saw the first working-level negotiations between Kim and Han collapse, leading to a heated general meeting of lawmakers at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. During this meeting, Kim Moon-soo expressed his frustrations, reportedly stating, "I am more pitiful than Lee Jae-myung" and accusing party members of deception. His remarks highlighted the growing divide within the party as members voiced their discontent with the leadership's handling of the situation.
Kwon Seong-dong, the party's floor leader, sought consent from the lawmakers regarding the re-election procedures. Out of 64 lawmakers present, 60 supported the move, while only 2 opposed and 2 abstained. This overwhelming support indicated a significant shift in sentiment among party members, many of whom felt that a change in leadership was necessary.
As the meeting progressed, several lawmakers criticized Kim for failing to uphold his promise of unification with Han. Representative Yoo Young-ha pointed out that Kim would not have been nominated in the four-person primary if he had not pledged to unify with Han. He emphasized that Kim's refusal to follow through on this promise was "not honorable." Similarly, Representative Kwon Young-jin warned that if Kim broke his commitment, it would render the lawmakers present as liars and further erode trust within the party.
Representative Cho Seung-hwan voiced his concerns about supporting Kim without a unification agreement, stating that he lacked the courage to back Kim in the absence of such an accord. He expressed anxiety over how to conduct his campaign starting May 12, the official date for election campaigning. Meanwhile, Representative Kim Seung-soo remarked that if Kim registered as a presidential candidate, he would struggle to campaign effectively in the Daegu and Gyeongbuk regions.
The atmosphere during the meeting was charged, with lawmakers exchanging heated words. Some voiced frustrations with comments like "It's annoying" and "That's too much," indicating the level of discontent brewing within the party.
In a parallel development, Kim Moon-soo's accusations against the party leadership intensified. He confronted the leadership during the general meeting, demanding an end to the "illegal and unjust means" being employed to make an independent candidate the party's nominee. This confrontation prompted Kwon Young-se, the emergency committee chairman, to leave the meeting, stating, "This is too much," reflecting the growing discord.
As the situation unfolded, party leaders publicly criticized Kim and his aides for allegedly breaking unification promises. Lee Yang-soo, the party's chief of staff, took to Facebook to express his frustrations, stating, "The fact that the Kim Moon-soo you support was created by Kim Moon-soo's tactics is not due to his greed, but due to the meddling of those around him." This statement underscored the internal blame game that had developed, with leaders attempting to distance themselves from the fallout.
Conversely, some lawmakers directed their ire towards the party leadership. Representative Cho Kyung-tae, a six-term lawmaker, urged the leadership to take responsibility for the current state of affairs. He criticized their actions, asserting that the leadership's poor planning had exacerbated the crisis. In a phone conversation with a newspaper, he remarked, "The leadership that has brought the party to this point should be held accountable," further illustrating the divide within the party.
Na Kyung-won, another prominent figure in the party, warned that the actions surrounding forced unification were not merely political decisions but clear violations of party rules and democratic principles. She cautioned that such unilateral actions could lead to chaos and destructive consequences, calling for a more democratic approach to candidate selection.
The ongoing conflict between Kim Moon-soo and the party leadership has raised questions about the future of the People Power Party as it heads into the election season. With the deadline for unification negotiations passed, many within the party are left wondering whether they can rally around a single candidate or if further divisions will lead to a fractured campaign.
As the situation continues to develop, the stakes are high for the People Power Party. The outcome of this internal strife could significantly impact their chances in the upcoming presidential election, with party members expressing a mix of hope and concern for their future.
