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Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party speaks in Daegu on August 2. / Source: Yonhap News

Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party (PPP), a contender for the party’s leadership, warned on August 2 that the Democratic Party could seek to label the PPP as an "insurrection party" and push for its dissolution.

In a Facebook post, Ahn stated, "The Democratic Party is defining us as an 'insurrection party' and could move to file for our dissolution. If that happens, we could end up like the Unified Progressive Party (UPP)."

Regarding the December 3 martial law incident, Ahn called it "the worst violation of constitutional rule in our history, for which no excuse can be accepted." He added, "If someone who defends or remains silent about it becomes our leader, our party will immediately be branded as an 'insurrection party' and forced toward dissolution."

Ahn also cited a confession from a party member he met in Daegu, saying, "They told me they feel ashamed to admit they belong to the PPP."

"Daegu is the heart of conservatism," Ahn continued. "We must rebuild our party from this heart and bring back rational conservatives who left us. Only Ahn Cheol-soo, who risked his life to protect the people during the Daegu COVID-19 crisis, can defend our party from being stigmatized as an 'insurrection party.'"