Kim Young-woo "With Yoon's core supporters gone, 'Daesilkwan'... Why doesn't the Presidential Office clearly state neutrality?"

Published 13 Feb.2023 09:51(KST)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Young-woo, the senior campaign committee chairman of Ahn Cheol-soo's camp, issued a stern warning about the Yongsan Presidential Office's election interference, saying, "When the Yoon core group (Yoon Seok-yeol's key associates) leaves, the so-called 'Daesilgwan' (major officials) come out."

On the 13th, Kim said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "Why doesn't the Presidential Office clearly state that it is neutral in this party convention?"

Ahn Cheol-soo, a candidate for the People Power Party leadership, is holding a press conference related to the party convention at the National Assembly on the 3rd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

He referred to news from a Presidential Office official claiming "Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo is a disruptor of state affairs," and pointed out, "This is not a normal party convention. News coming from the Presidential Office should be stopped. If such news keeps coming out, the party convention itself will be ruined."

He added, "All candidates should compete fairly and reasonably based on their abilities and competitiveness, but I find it very puzzling that this is being shaken so much, and I think it should not continue like this."

Regarding candidate Kim Ki-hyun's remark that "If a candidate interested in the presidential election becomes party leader, a clash between current and future powers could lead to impeachment," Kim said, "It was too hasty," and pointed out, "I think he was startled either because he had no clear thoughts or because of various grassroots winds like the Ahn Cheol-soo wave or the Cheon Ha-ram wave, or other candidates' momentum."

When asked by the host if this was a warning about a 'second Park Geun-hye impeachment' incident, he said, "The most dangerous thing is if the People Power Party suffers another crushing defeat to the Democratic Party in next year's general election," adding, "Even now, with the current minority government situation, they want to implement state tasks but cannot. The only and most effective way to overturn this is to win the general election."

Kim emphasized that the party's outreach must expand for a general election victory, stating, "Even within our party, if candidates in the party convention are labeled as 'people who will impeach' or 'disruptors and enemies of state affairs,' we cannot fight the general election. They talk about future power, but if we lose next year's general election, there will be no future power or anything else."

Regarding Cheon Ha-ram, a candidate from the 'Lee Jun-seok faction,' he said, "There is definitely a voice wanting change in the party," but evaluated, "He has not yet grown into an alternative. Those candidates have not yet stood on their own."

On the possibility of an alliance between candidates Cheon and Ahn, he said, "We must continue to appeal to the supporters of candidate Cheon and deliver the messages and policies they want. This is not an alliance formed by persuading someone," adding, "We need to send good messages to young people and the moderate 2030 generation."