[Today's News] "We are the United Liberal Democrats, they are the Liberal Democratic Party"... Outcry in the People Power Party group chat (2025.12.30/MBC News)

Amid strong backlash from the People Power Party over President Lee Jae-myung's nomination of Lee Ye-woon as Minister of Planning and Coordination, voices of concern about the party's weakening influence are reportedly emerging within the party itself. According to multiple sources within the People Power Party, a second-term lawmaker from a non-Yeongnam constituency wrote in the party's group chat that Lee Ye-woon's nomination needs deeper scrutiny and that it shouldn't end with rash, impulsive, and irritable reactions. They suggested there seems to be a plan to turn our party into the Yeongnam United Liberal Democrats and the Democratic Party into the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, so we need a more cautious and far-sighted plan beyond just President Yoon's personal preferences. This statement can also be interpreted as a criticism of the party leadership who immediately responded with a demand for withdrawal upon hearing the news of the ministerial nomination. Similar opinions were voiced in a gathering formed by 25 lawmakers who apologized for the previous remarks. Lee Sang, who serves as the coordinator for 'The Great Unity and the Future,' told reporters that while there were critical opinions expressing a lack of understanding regarding candidate Lee Ye-woon's selection, the overall atmosphere conveyed a significant sense of crisis. Furthermore, he noted that there are aspects where we ourselves need to reflect and reconsider the continuous absorption of centrist conservatives into the current government. Former lawmaker Kim Sung-tae, who previously served as the floor leader, also stated that this is a painful issue for the People Power Party and that the conservative camp itself could be shaken. He suggested that such strategic appointments, made after shaking up the conservative right wing, could destabilize the People Power Party, the main opposition party, potentially impacting the upcoming June local elections. He questioned whether there isn't a strategic intent to completely shift the People Power Party into a right-wing party by destabilizing the conservative right base. However, the People Power Party leadership continues to express displeasure, reacting negatively, stating that such appointments intended to resolve the Lee Jae-myung administration's lack of legitimacy will backfire, and that important positions like minister should not be treated lightly. This follows the incident last month in Jeonju.