Rep. Kwon Young-se of the ruling People Power Party heads to the party leader's office at the National Assembly in Seoul to attend a meeting with five- and six-term lawmakers, Dec. 6. Yonhap

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has grown more pro-President Yoon Suk Yeol as a loyalist was named its new interim leader, heralding intensifying conflicts with opposition parties, PPP officials said Tuesday.

The PPP appointed five-term lawmaker Rep. Kwon Young-se, known for his strong ties to Yoon, as the head of its emergency leadership committee, which will likely take a more pro-Yoon stance.

Kwon's appointment comes just eight days after former PPP leader Han Dong-hoon stepped down and 10 days after the National Assembly impeached Yoon over his botched martial law on Dec. 3.

The committee has been tasked with reorganizing the party and managing the political fallout from Yoon's impeachment.

Acting PPP leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong cited Kwon's extensive experience as a five-term lawmaker and his service in key government roles as reasons for the appointment during the PPP's general meeting at the National Assembly.

"The new emergency committee carries the significant responsibility of stabilizing state affairs while fostering harmony and reform within the party," Kweon said. "Now, more than ever, we need experienced leadership and decisive action."

He praised Kwon for his proven leadership and integrative capabilities, emphasizing his contributions to both government and party operations.

Kwon, a former prosecutor, entered politics in a 2002 by-election and has served as a lawmaker representing Seoul's Yeongdeungpo District for three terms and Yongsan District for two terms.

He was ambassador to China from 2013 to 2015 under the Park Geun-hye administration and unification minister under the Yoon administration.

In addition, Kwon played a key role in major election campaigns, leading Park's victory in the 2012 presidential race as head of the general situation office of her election committee and steering Yoon's 2021 campaign to success as head of his election committee headquarters.

The PPP plans to finalize Kwon's appointment following additional party committee meetings scheduled for Thursday and Monday.

Rep. Kwon Young-se, nominated as the head of the ruling People Power Party's emergency leadership committee, greets fellow lawmakers upon arriving at the party's general meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Kwon's position as a prominent pro-Yoon figure has sparked criticism. Some political experts say the PPP cannot undergo meaningful reform if its leadership continues to support Yoon.

Political commentator Rhee Jong-hoon warned that the close cooperation between the president and the ruling party could undermine the Constitutional Court's authority in handling Yoon's impeachment.

"The president and the ruling party will work together, employing delaying tactics to weaken the court's ability to rule on the impeachment," Rhee said.

He noted that if Yoon delays the trial process until April, any decision could face challenges to its validity, as the Constitutional Court is currently operating with only six justices, and the terms of two more judges are set to expire in April.

Rhee also pointed out that anti-Yoon members within the party are scarce, rendering their influence negligible.

"The party's focus appears less on the possibility of an early presidential election and more on shielding Yoon from treason charges while regaining its political footing," Rhee said, describing the party's alignment as a "community of destiny."

Choi Chang-ryul, a political science professor at Yong In University, expressed concerns over Kwon's appointment, questioning its alignment with public sentiment.

"While Kwon is not considered an extreme Yoon loyalist, he basically opposes the impeachment and supports arguments justifying reform or emergency martial law," Choi said. "This decision does not reflect the public's desire for the president to take responsibility for the imposition of martial law."

Choi warned that the move could exacerbate tensions between the ruling party and opposition parties, saying, "This appointment will only deepen political conflict, which has already left the public fatigued."

Rival parties remain in conflict as they clash over the appointment of Constitutional Court justices and special counsel probe bills into Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee.