"Impeachment Opposition Image Must Change"... Ruling Party's Proposal for 'Early Presidential Election Preparation'

by Choi Yuri

by Jang Bokyeong

Published 20 Feb.2025 15:48(KST)

"We Need to Consider How to Gain Favor from Moderates"

At a party innovation plan discussion hosted by the People Power Party, experts suggested the need for a 'Plan B' in preparation for an early presidential election. This is because it would be difficult to quickly change the image of opposition to President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment if it is accepted.

Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University stated at the second seminar titled "Where Should the People Power Party Go," held by the People Power Party's Special Committee on Strategic Planning on the 20th, "We need to prepare a Plan B assuming both the dismissal and acceptance of the impeachment trial."

He assumed a situation where the impeachment is accepted and the presidential election takes place two months later, saying, "The image of a political party and politicians is the result of accumulated time," and pointed out, "We need to consider how to change the People Power Party's image, which opposed the impeachment and made negative claims, in a short period of time."

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Professor Shin emphasized that special attention should be paid to the fact that support for impeachment is close to 60%. He analyzed, "Polls show that the number of independents is decreasing while both camps are increasing, leading many to believe that the moderate group is not important. However, there are a significant number of silent moderates." He explained that in a presidential and two-party system, the silent moderates will play an important role.

Professor Shin said, "The reason Lee Jae-myung is said to be shifting to the right and calling his party a moderate conservative party is because he thinks capturing the moderate group is important," and added, "The People Power Party should think about how to change its image to gain favor from the moderates."

He also suggested the need for a strategy to prepare for the scenario of impeachment dismissal. He said, "I don't think the whole nation will cheer if the impeachment is dismissed," and added, "The president will return, so the People Power Party needs to discuss what to do and how to recover from the shock."

The People Power Party's Strategic Special Committee has been holding weekly seminars throughout February to discuss the party's future. The seminar on this day was attended by many ruling party figures, including Emergency Committee Chairman Kwon Young-se, Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong, National Assembly Vice Speaker Joo Ho-young, Emergency Committee member Kim Yong-tae, and lawmaker Choi Su-jin.