The party leadership race in South Korea’s People Power Party took a dramatic turn on Monday. Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo resigned as head of the Innovation Committee and declared his bid for party chairman. As a result, his sudden decision intensified the already tense power struggle within the main opposition party.
Ahn blamed internal conflicts for his resignation. Specifically, he clashed with interim leader and floor leader Song Eon-seok over committee appointments. Although Ahn accepted the role last Thursday, he said efforts to push reform faced strong resistance from the start.
“I accepted the role hoping to save the party,” Ahn told reporters in Yeouido. “However, I hit a wall before opening the door to change.”
Furthermore, he stressed the need for reforms to prove the party’s commitment to the public. Ahn proposed excluding allies of former President Yoon Suk Yeol from the committee. However, party leaders refused to support his plan.
Consequently, Ahn said the position lacked power without reform authority. “If I can’t use the scalpel of reform, then I’ll take up the knife myself,” he declared. He now plans to lead the party leadership race as a candidate for chairman.
In the meantime, his resignation left the Innovation Committee in chaos. Party officials postponed its first meeting, initially set for Wednesday. The committee aimed to help the party recover after its crushing loss in the June 3 presidential election.
Additionally, Ahn urged Yoon-aligned lawmakers to step down from future races. He believes distancing the party from Yoon will rebuild public trust.
Meanwhile, the People Power Party is preparing for an August national convention. There, delegates will choose a new party leader. The position has remained vacant since Han Dong-hoon stepped down in December. Han resigned after backlash over Yoon’s controversial martial law declaration.
Ultimately, by quitting and entering the race, Ahn reshaped the party leadership race. His bold move raised the stakes for the party’s future.
