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Shin Dong-wook, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, briefs reporters after a general meeting of party lawmakers at the National Assembly on July 31. / Photo by Song Ui-joo

Rep. Shin Dong-wook of the People Power Party (PPP) announced his candidacy for the party’s supreme council on Thursday, vowing to "raise the banner of conservative reconstruction." He became the first incumbent lawmaker to join the leadership race.

During a press conference at the National Assembly, Shin said, "The upcoming leadership must lead us to victory in next year’s local elections. Reform must be aimed at unification, not division."

He criticized the party’s current approach, saying, "Reform is being misused as a tool that shoots arrows at our comrades’ backs, sparking internal conflict under the guise of innovation. Such reform will never bring unity."

Shin stressed that both unity and reform are essential, adding, "Even elementary school students know that fighting without unity leads to defeat. At the same time, without thorough introspection and genuine internal reform, unification is impossible."

Accusing the main opposition Democratic Party of "relentlessly harassing the Yoon Suk-yeol government" and using its majority to push through "impeachment as political spoils," he warned that the opposition is openly working to "destroy the conservative bloc through special probes and sedition narratives."

Calling the upcoming party convention "crucial for the survival of the PPP and the conservative camp," Shin acknowledged plummeting approval ratings. "Many supporters have already turned their backs on us. There are no excuses left. We must change," he said.

Apologizing as a lawmaker, Shin pledged to lead despite challenges. "This leadership will not start on a smooth highway but in the muddy trenches. No matter how arduous, I will not shy away," he said.

He also criticized President Lee Jae-myung, accusing him of "winning public favor with a two-faced 'virtuous ruler act,'" adding, "In normal circumstances, President Lee should already be in prison. It is frustrating that our failure to regroup has squandered precious time."

Shin concluded by urging party members to elect leadership capable of "eradicating defeatism and reorganizing for a strong fight against the administration," vowing, "As a former TV Chosun anchor who fought fiercely against the Moon Jae-in administration’s excesses, I will reignite the beating heart of conservatism to drive Korea’s progress forward."