“DEMOLISH OUR STRUCTURE”
Many have highlighted the PPP’s inability to fully distance itself from Yoon’s contentious and unconstitutional martial law.
“They didn’t manage to attract moderate voters,” remarked political analyst Park Sangbyoung. “Instead, Yoon Suk Yeol embraced extreme right-wing ideas, and Kim Moon-soo, who has collaborated with far-right factions, was chosen as their candidate.”
Park suggested that the “total collapse” of the conservative camp could negatively impact South Korean politics.
“To genuinely oppose the Lee administration, they must undergo a transformation, possibly by dismantling the party and forming a new one,” Park stated.
South Korea’s conservatives have previously made unexpected comebacks. Yoon is the second conservative president in succession to be ousted from power, following the impeachment and imprisonment of Park Geun-hye in a corruption scandal in 2017.
Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, mentioned that “until they sort out their internal issues,” it will be challenging for the right to challenge Lee.
“I wouldn’t label this as a crisis among conservatives, but rather as the decline of the People Power Party due to leadership that prioritizes personal interests over core values,” he noted.
Following Yoon’s impeachment, then-PPP leader Han Dong-hoon guaranteed that the president would resign and promised the party’s support in forming an interim government.
When Yoon and his supporters refuted that plan and resisted his removal, it led to a split within the party and ultimately resulted in Han’s resignation.
On Wednesday, Han, who attempted to secure the PPP nomination unsuccessfully, emphasized the necessity for the party to work with the new liberal administration on economic and security matters, yet he insisted on opposing any efforts by the ruling party to “undermine the judiciary system.”
The PPP has accused the Democratic Party of attempting to pass legislation aimed at protecting President Lee, who is facing numerous corruption allegations, from further legal challenges.
“Please don’t give up,” Han urged. “This is our final opportunity to end outdated politics and cultivate a governance approach that prioritizes the welfare of the people.”
Lawmaker Park Jeong-hoon posted on Facebook that for the party to thrive, it must undergo significant changes.
“We need to demolish our structure and reconstruct it. This is not simply a factional issue; it’s critical for the party’s survival.”
