He Entered Like This... and Left Like That

Kim Moonsoo Clashes Head-to-Head with Party Leadership at People Power Party Meeting

Kim: "Illegal and unjust means are being used"
Party: "His remarks are extremely disappointing"
After the dispute, Kim leaves the meeting... Meeting is also adjourned

First Attendance at Party Meeting Since Unification Demand... Welcomed with Applause Upon Entry

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is shaking hands with lawmakers as he attends a party meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 9th. Photo by Yonhap News

The Floor Leader Presents a Bouquet

Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is receiving a bouquet from Kwon Seongdong, the floor leader. Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Moonsoo Responds with a 'Heart' Gesture...

Kim Moonsoo, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is making a heart shape above his head while giving a greeting. Photo by Yonhap News

As Determined Remarks Continue, Faces Grow Stern

People from the People Power Party are wearing stern expressions while listening to presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo's 'determined remarks.' Photo by Yonhap News

After Opening Remarks... Leaves Despite Requests to Listen to Lawmakers

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, is leaving the party meeting room immediately after Kwon Youngse, the Emergency Response Committee chairman, made remarks pressuring for unification and exited. Photo by Yonhap News

The People Power Party Feels Parched

Kwon Youngse, Emergency Response Committee Chairman, is drinking water while listening to Kim Moonsoo, presidential candidate's 'determined remarks.' Photo by Yonhap News

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, attended the party members' meeting on May 9 for the first time since the demand for candidate unification, but clashed head-to-head with the party leadership. Kim criticized the leadership for resorting to illegal and unjust means to make former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo the presidential candidate. The party leadership, which had intended to persuade Kim to unify, countered by saying his remarks were "extremely disappointing."

Kim attended the party members' meeting held at the National Assembly that morning. At around 11:46 a.m., Kim left his campaign office in Yeouido, Seoul, and headed to the People Power Party's meeting room. The meeting was originally scheduled for 11 a.m., but was delayed as Kim remained at his campaign office to receive reports. At the same time, Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kwon Youngse and Floor Leader Kwon Seongdong greeted Kim at the stairs in front of the National Assembly's Rotunda Hall.

Floor Leader Kwon, who spoke first at the meeting, stated, "To win, unification and a big tent are essential," and added, "Although we are somewhat confused right now, if we reach an agreement through this process, it will surely lead to a beautiful victory through unification."

Kwon also said, "While mentioning our party members' and the public's strong desire for unification, I previously made some harsh remarks toward the candidate. I sincerely apologize here and now," bowing his head.

Previously, on the day before, Kwon had sharply criticized Kim, saying, "Watching you hold a press conference this morning, ignoring the party members' mandate just to protect your own candidacy, I have to wonder whether you are truly the democratization activist we believed you to be, or the veteran politician who served three terms as a lawmaker, two terms as Gyeonggi governor, and as Minister of Employment and Labor."

Taking the podium, Kim asserted that the party leadership had been working to sideline him and make Han the presidential candidate, and stressed that he could not agree to unification before the candidate registration deadline (May 11).

He said, "The party leadership is still using every illegal and unjust means to bring down me, Kim Moonsoo, and make an independent candidate our party's presidential candidate. I urge you to stop immediately," and declared, "The forced unification currently being pushed by the leadership is nothing more than an attempt to remove me and install an independent candidate as our party's presidential candidate. That is why I cannot agree."

He continued, "Please trust me, Kim Moonsoo. I will step forward and win. If, after being elected at the party convention, I had immediately begun preparing for the election and rallied the party's strength, our current approval rating would be different."

He also pointed out, "There have been several polls where I, Kim Moonsoo, have beaten Lee Jaemyung. Has Han Ducksoo ever beaten Lee Jaemyung? In competitiveness surveys, there is almost no difference between myself and Han Ducksoo."

In response, Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kwon said, "His remarks are extremely disappointing. I believe they are completely out of line with what our lawmakers expected," and added, "A true leader, and especially someone who aspires to be a greater leader, must also know how to set aside personal interests."

After the opening remarks, Kim left the meeting room immediately, despite lawmakers asking him to "listen to the lawmakers as well before leaving," and the party leadership adjourned the meeting.