0
Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), attends a party strategy meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on June 10. / Photo by Lee Byung-hwa

The People Power Party is leaning toward holding its national convention earlier than September, as originally proposed by interim leader Kim Yong-tae. Many party insiders are voicing concern that appointing yet another caretaker leader after Kim's term ends this month could spark unnecessary conflict and delay party stabilization.

“It feels too late to hold the convention in September. It should happen before the regular National Assembly session begins that month,” a senior PPP official told the press on June 10. “Given the persistent factional infighting, we urgently need a leadership structure capable of confronting the dominant opposition party.”

The official added, “The party leadership must first take full responsibility for the presidential election defeat. Only after that should we transition to a new leadership. That’s the only way to heal divisions and set the foundation for unity.”

The PPP held a general meeting of lawmakers the previous day to discuss several issues: Kim Yong-tae’s status as interim leader, his proposed party reforms, how to respond to the Democratic Party’s unilateral passage of contentious bills, and the delay in President Lee Jae-myung’s retrial on election law charges at the Seoul High Court.

The most pressing issue was the future of Kim’s leadership and the timing of the party convention, though no final decision was reached.

After the meeting, deputy floor leader Park Hyung-soo told reporters, “Most lawmakers supported an early convention, and aside from one or two, everyone agreed it should be held no later than August.”

Another PPP insider stressed that even if the party pushes the date forward, it must first identify a candidate who can decisively address factional conflict and drive reform. “The only person who fits that role may be former presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo,” the source said.

The source explained, “Ironically, most PPP lawmakers aren’t particularly fond of Kim, which makes him a neutral figure. Notably, he previously made a bold move by appointing Rep. Kim Yong-tae to replace former interim leader Kwon Young-se — a decision made without regard for factional loyalties and clearly aimed at party reform. That’s why Kim Moon-soo must return to complete the reform process and build a clean, future-ready conservative party.”