단상斷想

The serious internal strife that occurred as the People Power Party nominated former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo starkly revealed the party's true colors. In particular, the actions of floor leader Kwon Seong-dong, who is at the center of this situation, clearly demonstrate the most opportunistic and inappropriate aspects of Korean politics. Although the controversy was settled with the resignation of former emergency response committee chairman Kwon Young-se, who led the unification, criticism is mounting from both inside and outside the party that Kwon Seong-dong is essentially responsible for this situation.

Kwon Seong-dong's political career is a typical example of an opportunist who has moved entirely for his own political gain, rather than consistent beliefs or values. In the 2016 impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, he quickly voted in favor of impeachment when the situation became unfavorable, then left for the Bareun Party before returning to the Liberty Korea Party based on political calculations. This is why he has been nicknamed the 'master of tightrope walking', 'bat', and 'chameleon' in the political world.

In 2021, he played a leading role in bringing former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol into politics. Based on a relationship that began in elementary school and continued as senior and junior prosecutors, their relationship played a decisive role in Yoon Seok-yeol becoming president. However, in the process, Kwon Seong-dong led the behind-the-scenes efforts to oust former Chairman Lee Jun-seok, who had led the People Power Party at the time and made significant contributions to Yoon Seok-yeol's presidential election. This came to light in July 2022 when a Telegram message in which President Yoon Seok-yeol described Lee Jun-seok as a "party leader who only engaged in internal strife" was captured by the media.

Kwon Seong-dong, who graduated from Chung-Ang University's Department of Law, has shown problematic behavior since his days as a prosecutor, obsessed with the inferiority complex of not being from a so-called 'SKY' university. While working as a criminal division prosecutor, he was 'well-known' for obtaining false confessions through coercive investigations, as well as using informal speech and profanity towards staff and suspects. He was known within the prosecution as a 'master of case fabrication' and a 'typical old-fashioned prosecutor.' He left the office under the Roh Moo-hyun administration, but when the Lee Myung-bak administration came into power, he entered politics as the Legal Secretary of the Presidential Office for Civil Affairs. After running in the Gangneung by-election in 2009 and being elected, he was elected five times in a row and wielded such great power in the Gangneung area that he was called an emperor. In particular, in the Gangneung area, it was difficult for any project to proceed without his influence, and there were constant allegations that he was involved in all kinds of vested interests in the process.

Kwon Seong-dong's behavior was even more clearly revealed during this presidential election process. He did not hesitate to openly criticize candidate Kim Moon-soo, saying things like, "Even if he dies and comes back to life, Kim Moon-soo can never be the one," and "that measly presidential candidate." He even went on a hunger strike and secretly led the unification of former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. However, when these attempts failed, he acted as if nothing had happened and prostrated himself before candidate Kim Moon-soo. What is even more problematic is that his opportunistic behavior is not limited to this time. He was criticized for his treacherous behavior towards former Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo during the past presidential primary process. When Hong recently expressed his intention to cut ties with the People Power Party, Kwon shamelessly asked him to join Kim Moon-soo, the party's presidential candidate, once again, saying, "Please direct all your anger solely at me."

Former Mayor Hong Jun-pyo strongly criticized the situation, saying, "The party was doomed from the moment those two guys (Kwon Seong-dong and Kwon Young-se) brought Yoon Seok-yeol three years ago, and now the party is falling into a quagmire again with absurd actions. Yoon and those two will be punished by heaven." This is a statement that clearly shows the accumulated dissatisfaction of the party's senior members with Kwon Seong-dong's behavior. In fact, voices are growing within the party that Kwon Seong-dong should retire from politics after this election. Even at the presidential election campaign site, the anger of People Power Party supporters towards Kwon Seong-dong is being expressed, which means that he no longer has a place in the party.

Kwon Seong-dong's behavior shows a complete lack of basic qualities and morality that a politician should possess. His actions, which have been driven solely by his own political gain without any conviction, values, principles, or consistency, reflect the chronic ills of Korean politics. In particular, the fact that he, as a prosecutor who should have upheld the law and justice, flattered power and abandoned principles for political survival is causing greater disappointment to the public. In addition, allegations that he reigned like a 'king' in his constituency and intervened in vested interests raise serious questions about his political morality.

Now, Kwon Seong-dong's political expulsion seems inevitable. Whether Kim Moon-soo becomes president or Lee Jae-myung becomes president, it is no exaggeration to say that his political life is already over. For the People Power Party to innovate and reform, the expulsion of outdated politicians like Kwon Seong-dong must come first. His expulsion should not only mark the end of one individual's political life, but also serve as an opportunity for Korean politics to break away from outdated practices such as opportunism, tightrope walking, and intervention in vested interests, and establish a new political culture. Kwon Seong-dong's downfall should remain a lesson to politicians, reminding them of the importance of principles, beliefs, and morality.

True politics exists for the benefit of the people and the nation, not for personal gain. Only politicians with firm beliefs and principles, not 'political bats' that sway back and forth with the winds of power, can earn the trust of the people. Kwon Seong-dong's end will be a living lesson that paradoxically shows the direction in which Korean politics should go.