Park Geun-hye: “Internal division is the most frightening”

Former President Park Geun-hye attended the People Power Party workshop for the first time in 14 years, urging party members to foster internal cohesion. In her speech, former President Park repeatedly used the word 'comrade' as a core keyword, pointing out that internal division is the most fearsome enemy of the party. She emphasized that minority parties must unite even more strongly, stressing that unity is essential to overcome the party's current situation.

Former President Park Geun-hye diagnosed that the current state of division experienced by the conservative camp is not significantly different from the time of her impeachment. She expressed concern that if internal division deepens, the party will not be able to respond properly when the judicial system and the rule of law are undermined.

Speculation that former President Park Geun-hye's attendance at the workshop was intended to 'checkmate Jung Jeom-sik and Jang Dong-hyuk' was dismissed as groundless. Former President Park's message contained the essential meaning of uniting around the party leadership. The core point was that all party members must rally around the leadership.

It has been argued that the conservative camp should proudly publicize the achievements of past governments and build a 'conservative legacy.' The Park Geun-hye administration had significant policy achievements, such as the initial introduction of the basic pension, reform of the civil servant pension, and the signing of the Korea-China FTA. Voices emerged criticizing the party's attitude of self-censoring and hiding these achievements, unlike the Democratic Party. The case of overcoming the financial crisis during the Lee Myung-bak administration was also suggested as an asset for the conservative camp through reevaluation.

Leader Jang Dong-hyuk presented 'livelihoods' as the most important topic at this workshop, emphasizing the need to become a party focused on people's livelihoods. This aligns with former President Park Geun-hye's emphasis on 'implementing feasible policies.' It was pointed out that specific legislative struggle strategies should be established, focusing on current livelihood issues such as real estate. The opinion was raised that the party should approach the public not with abstract livelihoods, but with practical alternative legislation.

The need for disciplinary action against the four People Power Party members (Han Ji-a, Kim Ye-ji, Cho Kyung-tae, Woo Je-jun) who voted in favor of the impeachment motion against Commissioner Lee Jin-suk was raised. It was pointed out that their actions violated the comradely relationship within the party. There was also criticism that by agreeing with the opposition's framework, they put the People Power Party in a position of labeling itself as an 'insurrectionary force.' This was considered an act that damaged the party's identity.

Political attention is focused on Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's proposal for constitutional amendment. Allegations have been raised that the opposition is contacting members of the People Power Party to pass the amendment. Concerns emerged that with the current constitutional amendment blocking line under threat, the amendment could pass if only 8-9 members from the People Power Party defect. Therefore, the need for internal party cohesion to overcome the crisis as a minority opposition party was emphasized.

As the Jang Dong-hyuk leadership promotes the introduction of direct elections for local chapter heads under the pretext of expanding party members' sovereignty, strong backlash has arisen within the party. Representative Ahn Cheol-soo strongly criticized 'privatization of the party,' stating, "Party members are not tissues to be used and discarded." Former leader Han Dong-hoon's side also warned against Leader Jang Dong-hyuk's actions, pointing out that "privatization cannot stop the rampage of the Lee Jae-myung regime." As such, the direct election of local chapter heads has emerged as a core issue of internal conflict within the People Power Party, forming a contrasting dynamic between strengthening party members' sovereignty and accusations of party privatization. While Leader Jang Dong-hyuk maintains his stance to directly reflect the opinions of party members, some lawmakers worry that it could devolve into a means for the current leadership to consolidate its influence. This internal backlash is analyzed to harm party cohesion and potentially impact future general election nominations.

Criticism has been raised regarding some cabinet members' remarks suggesting that North Korea's nuclear status should be recognized. Such statements not only exacerbate public anxiety about security but also amount to abandoning denuclearization discussions with North Korea. Many believe it is inappropriate for individuals in positions responsible for South Korea's security to make such claims.

A forecast suggests that recognizing North Korea's nuclear status would lead to the lifting of sanctions and economic aid. This is analyzed as likely to ultimately lead to demands for the withdrawal of US forces in Korea and the dissolution of the ROK-US Combined Forces Command. It is predicted that North Korea would assert its status as a nuclear power to engage directly with the US, demand resolution of security issues, and claim economic prosperity. Experts worry that this trend reflects an intention to move towards a federal system instead of a hostile two-state theory between the two Koreas.

A political framework attempting to blame Mayor Oh Se-hoon for Seoul's housing supply shortage and rising sale, jeonse, and monthly rent prices has been criticized. It is pointed out that a supply policy focused solely on rental housing has limitations in stabilizing the market. The current real estate problem is analyzed as being caused by complex factors that cannot be attributed solely to a specific mayor's responsibility.

Practical problems have been raised regarding the move to transfer licensing authority for redevelopment projects of under 500 households to local governments. It is pointed out that 7 out of 9 stages of redevelopment project permits are already delegated to district chiefs, making the claim that the Seoul mayor is preventing supply unrealistic. The Seoul Metropolitan Government's role in integrated deliberation is for harmonious urban development. Concerns were also raised that activating small-scale developments of under 500 households could lead to unsustainable communities and disorganized development. Unregulated small-scale development could harm the overall balance and aesthetics of the city.