**‘Focus on Combating Rent-Seeking and Healing Divisions’ Promise Announced**
**“Opposing the Destructive Special Prosecutor Against the Opposition… Strong Response to the Regime”**
In the People Power Party’s August 22 national convention, former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo, who announced his candidacy for party leader, stated on the 31st, “We will become a strong People Power Party that fights against the oppressive regime,” unveiling his pledges including opposition to a special prosecutor for rebellion.
On the morning of the same day, former Minister Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall to announce his pledges. He said, “I will make the People Power Party united through internal harmony under Kim Moon-soo, a strong party fighting against the dictatorial regime of President Lee Jae-myung, and a party that regains public support to win the 2026 local elections.” He completed his registration as a candidate for the party leader election the previous day.
Former Minister Kim emphasized, “I will focus the party’s capabilities on fighting against Lee Jae-myung’s dictatorial regime’s oppression,” and declared, “I will make it a strong opposition party that fights united.” He continued, “I will take action to prevent Lee Jae-myung from self-exoneration. I oppose the special prosecutor against rebellion aimed at annihilating the opposition,” adding, “I will firmly confront anti-American, pro-North Korean, extreme left, anti-business, and corrupt criminal forces that are regressing South Korea.” He affirmed, “We will strongly respond to the political oppression of the cruel extreme left regime that aims to annihilate the opposition and its propaganda of stirring extreme right-wing fears.”
Regarding overcoming internal strife, he stated, “If I become the party leader, I will unify the party spirit with leadership of unity and reconciliation,” and promised to become a principled party leader who heals divisions and conflicts and establishes the party’s core. He particularly promised to build a ‘party member-centered party’ and pledged to actively utilize votes from all party members for major party policy decisions and to revive constituency parties by amending the political party law. He also promised to support the operation of member meeting spaces by constituency, activate and listen to party member discussions, and systematically strengthen party member education by expanding educational training at all party levels and diversifying content.
For ‘system party innovation,’ Kim proposed expanding the participation of district party committee chairs, metropolitan and basic local government heads, and local council members in party affairs, implementing grassroots nominations, expanding the Yeouido Research Institute’s capabilities and internal and external policy networks, and redefining the platform centered on liberal democracy, market economy, growth, and security.
Kim also presented economic and security pledges against the Lee Jae-myung administration. He stated, “I will create a country favorable for business to boost the economy and create jobs,” and pledged to provide tailored support to small and medium enterprises, small business owners, and self-employed individuals to vitalize the livelihood economy. He also mentioned support for advanced new technologies such as AI and nuclear power and strengthening the South Korea-U.S. alliance.
Regarding the local elections scheduled for June next year, Kim called it “an opportunity to judge the Lee Jae-myung regime” and announced, “The party leader will directly lead the ‘2026 Local Election Victory Planning Team’ to establish and operate it.” He proposed strengthening support for vulnerable districts, opening doors for young, new, and future forces, and strengthening national liberal democracy protection movements and grassroots activities.
Former Minister Kim concluded, “I have joined to become the teeth and claws of the tiger called the People Power Party and fight the left-wing forces,” and said, “The People Power Party is like a mother who raised me.” He continued, “Now it’s time for Kim Moon-soo to give back. I will become a party leader who stands up the party again, threatened by despicable repression obliterating the opposition and divisions.” He added, “I will not cling to personal honor and power but will serve and dedicate myself to our party and its members with a self-sacrificial attitude, making the People Power Party a proud party full of party member pride.”