Seoul, South Korea – The People Power Party (PPP) is preparing for a final vote on February 24th and 25th too determine itS new leader, with candidates Kim and Jang emerging as the frontrunners after advancing from the National Convention held yesterday.The election will employ a combination of party member polling and public opinion surveys, with results expected to be announced on February 26th.
The candidates have outlined differing strategies regarding the current political landscape, including potential responses to motions for a special prosecutor, impeachment proceedings, and even the possibility of martial law. Kim emphasized the need for diverse perspectives within the party leadership,stating,”if the person is in the leadership,it is enough to make a variety of voices.”
A key point of contention between the two candidates centers on tactics for legislative battles. Kim criticized relying solely on a special prosecutor,arguing,”If you have a special prosecutor,you can only prevent it,but you can only block it with the logic.” He referenced the National Assembly’s recent actions, stating, “The national Assembly, like Kim (parliamentary), has already passed by the parliament that occupies the chairman, closed the door and blocks the entry.”
The debate extended to the role of party members versus those operating outside the formal structure of the National Assembly. Jang, a current lawmaker, expressed concerns about the effectiveness of “outdoor party” votes, noting, “We have only gained experience that the outdoor party votes do not have a central point so we can’t fight properly.”
Kim, who is not currently a member of the National Assembly, countered that experience matters. “If you have only been a member of the National Assembly for three years, it makes sense if you have a 10-year-old person,” he said, highlighting his own three-term service as a lawmaker. He stressed the importance of building a strong central coordinating body, “Basically, we must create a central point and we have to solidify with those outside outside.”
Recognizing the PPP’s status as the minority party in the National Assembly, Kim suggested utilizing filibusters (unlimited debate) as a key tactic.”Since the power of the people is a minority party in the park, there is not much other method other than the Filibuster,” he stated.
Both candidates demonstrated a similar stance regarding former President Yoon. Kim indicated he would support any potential application for a posthumous award (bokdang) for the former president, saying, “if former President Yoon is later applied for a bokdang, it is right to accept it.”
Jang echoed this sentiment, affirming, “President Yoon is the former president of our party.”
The final voting process will combine polling of party members with a public opinion survey to determine the next leader of the People Power Party.