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PPP leaders and 11 supreme council candidates pose for a group photo during the sixth national convention vision presentation at party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on August 3. / Source: Lee Byung-hwa

Eleven candidates for the People Power Party’s (PPP) supreme council pledged unity and a tougher stance against the ruling Democratic Party during a vision presentation held on August 3 at party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul.

Shin Dong-wook called for ending internal division, saying, "We are at a crossroads between extinction and rebuilding. Our unity must focus on the future, not the past." He vowed to build "a strong opposition party to resist harmful laws nationwide."

Choi Soo-jin highlighted her independence and legislative experience, pledging to "confront President Lee Jae-myung’s tyranny and build a strong, communicative, policy-driven party."

Yang Hyang-ja stressed her outsider appeal, describing herself as "a female politician from the Seoul metropolitan area, originally from Honam, who rose from a high school graduate to Samsung’s first female executive."

Kim Jae-won warned that "our defeat in the June 3 presidential election was due to division," while criticizing "excessive calls for purges under the guise of reform."

Ham Woon-kyung urged an offensive strategy, attacking Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae as "the face of reckless '686 politics,'" and called for exposing the government’s flaws.

Kim Tae-woo vowed "preemptive strikes" against the ruling party, declaring, "I brought down the Moon Jae-in administration, and I will end Lee Jae-myung’s regime."

Kim Geun-sik argued for severing ties with the past, urging "pro-Yoon loyalists who failed to stop martial law" to declare they will not run in the next election.

Jang Young-ha called for prioritizing unity over personnel purges, saying, "We can address such issues during candidate nominations, but now we must unite to win."

Hong Seok-jun emphasized reforms in candidate selection and strengthening party identity, pointing to problems with "parachute nominations in stronghold regions like Daegu and North Gyeongsang."

Son Beom-gyu criticized factional infighting, adding, "Party leaders must be servants who communicate and serve, not stars in the sky."

Kim Min-soo stressed restoring conservative values, saying, "Only when we solidify our principles can we draw in broader support like a black hole."