(EDITORIAL from Korea Times on July 10)

The People Power Party's (PPP) leadership selection process is taking a surprising turn ahead of the ruling party's national convention on July 23. The disclosure on July 4 of texts sent by first lady Kim Keon Hee to former PPP interim chief Han Dong-hoon, dating back six months, has sparked conflicts among the four candidates, including Han himself. It has also raised questions about the previously close relationship between Han and President Yoon Suk Yeol. A senior journalist revealed the existence of Telegram text messages sent between Jan. 15 and 25. These messages centered around the first lady's consideration of apologizing for receiving a luxury bag from a pastor. Essentially, she expressed willingness to apologize if it posed a burden on the PPP before the April 10 general elections. She also expressed regret over a misunderstanding between the president and Han regarding the bag incident. Han said he did not respond to the messages, interpreting them as implying difficulty in issuing an apology. H e also emphasized that the issue must be addressed through official channels, given that he had already publicly raised it. Han's rivals criticized him for withholding the information and thereby preventing the first lady from issuing an apology, which they deemed was crucial for the PPP's chances in the April 10 general elections. The party largely attributes its defeat to Han. Rep. Na Kyung-won criticized Han's decision not to respond to the text as a "misjudgment stemming from his lack of experience." Former Land Minister Won Hee-ryong commented that Han's actions lacked courtesy. Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun condemned Han's change in stance. The delayed disclosure of the messages has unfortunately stirred up the party's leadership contest. The first lady's acceptance of the luxury bag became a highly controversial issue for the ruling PPP which suffered a humiliating defeat in the elections. This issue continues to resonate, especially because prosecutors are investigating the case. The president's failure to pr ovide clear explanations and a sincere apology on behalf of the first lady has further exacerbated the situation. However, the belated disclosure certainly raises important questions over the internal dynamics of the ruling bloc. The primary questions revolve around why the first lady contacted Han for his opinion via text, and who disclosed the messages at this moment. We hope this situation does not reflect a damaging cycle of conflict between leadership contenders with core party insiders supportive of the president, similar to past incidents like the punishment of former leader Lee Jun-seok and the deterrence of Rep. Na from pursuing party leadership last year. The PPP stands to gain nothing from internal power struggles, especially as leading contender Han seeks to expand the conservative party's support base while his ties with the president grow distant. The ruling party should address these issues openly in the lead-up to July 23, fostering constructive dialogue that demonstrates institutional patien ce and respect for the workings of a public political party. In terms of legislative seats, the PPP currently holds a precarious position with 108 seats, compared to 192 seats held by the opposition bloc. This count includes the three seats held by the New Reform Party, founded by Lee Jun-seok. The conservative PPP is grappling with the task of reaffirming itself as the leading party of conservatism, especially after regaining power following the 2017 impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. It is crucial for the PPP to assert the relevance of conservatism in the present context, but its current actions seem to fall short of this goal. While a degree of internal conflict is natural in any political race, exacerbating these divisions unnecessarily would be self-destructive, as acknowledged by members of the PPP itself. Han, Rep. Na, Won, and Rep. Yoon should prioritize outlining their policy platforms and the direction they envision for their party without delay. They might consider observing the examp le of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, which appears to maintain unity under Rep. Lee Jae-myung. Source: Yonhap News Agency