Why Did the South Korean PPP Floor Leader Resign After Election Loss?

Synopsis
In a dramatic turn of events, the floor leader of the South Korean <b>People Power Party (PPP)</b> has stepped down following a significant election defeat. This decision marks a critical moment for the conservative party as it seeks to rebuild and address internal divisions. What does this mean for the future of the PPP?
Key Takeaways
- Floor leader Kweon Seong-dong resigns after election loss.
- Internal divisions within the PPP are acknowledged as a major issue.
- A closed-door meeting will determine a new floor leader.
- Emergency leadership committee members also offered resignations.
- Future plans for party reform are on the agenda.
Seoul, June 5 (NationPress) The floor leader of the South Korean People Power Party (PPP) declared his resignation on Thursday, following the conservative party's setback in the presidential election held earlier this week.
Rep. Kweon Seong-dong addressed party lawmakers at the National Assembly, stating that he is stepping down to take accountability for PPP presidential candidate Kim Moon-soo's defeat in Tuesday's election.
"We must start from scratch to rebuild the conservative bloc," he emphasized.
"I will begin by resigning as floor leader."
He pointed out that the election loss is not simply a referendum on the martial law imposition or the president's impeachment, but rather a harsh critique of the internal rifts within the PPP.
"As floor leader, I bear a significant portion of the blame," he acknowledged.
"I have no intention of evading this responsibility or making excuses."
The PPP's emergency committee is set to convene later Thursday behind closed doors to establish a timeline for selecting a new floor leader.
Potential candidates for the position include four-term lawmakers Kim Do-eup, Kim Sang-hoon, Park Dae-chul, and Lee Hun-seung, along with three-term lawmakers Kim Sung-won, Sung Il-jong, and Song Eon-seok.
Furthermore, members of the PPP's emergency leadership committee have offered to resign as a group.
The PPP's floor spokesperson, Rep. Seo Ji-young, disclosed this decision, noting that members like Rep. Lim Yi-ja and Kim Sang-hoon, the party's chief policy strategist, submitted their resignations during a general meeting at the National Assembly.
However, Kim Yong-tae, the PPP's interim leader, did not clarify his intentions regarding resignation.
The PPP plans to convene a general meeting next Monday to deliberate on Kim Yong-tae's status and broader reform initiatives, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
President Lee Jae-myung assumed office on Wednesday after winning the election with 49.42 percent of the vote against Kim's 41.15 percent.