The People Power Party is struggling to find an exit from its internal strife. Kim Yong-tae, the emergency committee chairperson, reaffirmed his commitment to complete the five major reform measures by the end of this month. However, with the party's top two leaders, including floor leader Kweon Seong-dong, all but stepping down, there seems to be a lack of consensus, and the direction for leadership restructuring and renewal appears to be at a standstill.
On the sixth day after the election defeat, the People Power Party still could not grasp the direction for party renewal.
Park Hyung-soo, the chief floor deputy representative, said in the results briefing after the lawmakers' meeting that day, “We could not reach a conclusion,” and “We decided to hold another meeting tomorrow to wrap up the issues that need to be concluded.”
However, the People Power Party announced that it would not hold the general assembly meeting on the 10th due to intra-party meetings.
The general assembly meeting, which started at 2 p.m. that day, continued for more than five hours with a marathon discussion, and a total of 27 members spoke. It was reported that the issues discussed there particularly included the status of the emergency chairperson Kim Yong-tae and the five major reform proposals he presented.
Regarding Kim's status, opinions were reportedly divided. Among the pro-Yoon lawmakers, there were demands for Kim to resign immediately, while among the younger members aligned with the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction, many voices supported Kim continuing to finalize the reform proposals, several attendees reported.
Initially, the pro-Han faction had identified the internal ‘pro-Yoon entrenched forces’ as the cause of the election defeat and called for the total resignation of the leadership, including floor leader Kweon and Chairperson Kim. They maintained that a party convention needed to be held to elect the next party leader under a new floor leadership system.
However, after Kim presented the five major reform proposals the day before (▲holding a party convention in September ▲nullifying the party stance against impeachment ▲investigating the issues surrounding the unjust replacement of the presidential candidate ▲100% upward selection for nominations), the internal atmosphere among the renewal faction changed.
‘Six-term’ lawmaker Jo Kyung-tae stated, “Pro-Yoon affiliated lawmakers have expressed significant criticism towards Chairperson Kim. Some even said, ‘Leave quickly,’ but I believe that should not happen,” adding, “What Chairperson Kim presented yesterday is a proposal for reform that can save our party and also help prepare well for next year's local elections. I expressed that we should go with Chairperson Kim's leadership until the next leadership is formed.”
Lawmaker Kim Sang-hoon, Kang Seung-kyu, and Lim Jong-deok are reportedly among those who demanded Chairperson Kim to resign immediately due to the election defeat. Lawmaker Kim Jeong-jae, speaking to reporters, said, “If you lose an election, you must take responsibility according to principles and step down,” adding, “This is not about chasing someone away. I am suggesting we re-nominate and empower him further.”
As the internal strife regarding his status deepened, Chairperson Kim proposed during the general assembly that it be decided by a vote of all party members. However, it was reported that many attendees expressed the opinion that it was ‘not appropriate,’ leading to the proposal being shelved.
Accordingly, Chairperson Kim is expected to maintain his position until the 30th, and the new floor leader, who will be elected on the 16th, is likely to appoint a new ‘management-type emergency chairperson’ starting next month. The new floor leader, who has the authority to nominate the emergency chairperson, may also concurrently hold the powers of the party leader without forming a new emergency committee.
At the general assembly that day, heated discussions erupted over the reform proposals, including Kim's suggestion to nullify the party's stance against impeachment.
Park, the chief floor deputy representative, mentioned, “Many lawmakers talked about whether there has been a case where a position taken against the party stance has been changed afterward, and what the benefits would be if it could be changed, discussing whether it would be feasible,” adding that they decided not to reach a conclusion on that part and agreed to consider other options that could be reconciled politically.
In this context, the hardline reform faction within the party stated, “I think we need to acknowledge that we could make a wrong decision at the last general assembly. We shouldn't stick to what we decided as a party stance but instead withdraw it in a spirit of reflection,” according to lawmaker Woo Jae-jun.
On the other hand, pro-Yoon lawmaker Kang Seung-kyu stated, “I also oppose the use of martial law by former President Yoon Seok-yeol. However, does a single remark from the emergency chairperson erase the causes of martial law, such as the government personnel ‘innocent impeachment’ that occurred 30 times, the monopoly of power in the National Assembly, and the intimidation of law enforcement agencies for Lee Jae-myung's protection? It could appear as if the emergency chairperson is riding on the frame of legacy media trying to turn the general assembly into a pro-Yoon rally and engaging in self-political maneuvering,” he criticized strongly.
Some lawmakers reportedly commented, “At the time (of opposing impeachment), we suggested postponing the impeachment to give Lee Jae-myung some time, but there was nothing established as a party stance.”
A theory of ineffectiveness was also raised. Lawmaker Park Deok-heum stated to reporters, “Since it has already been resolved as a party stance, that issue is already over and done with.”
However, it was reported that opinions converged on not conducting an internal audit in relation to the investigation of the ‘sudden candidate replacement incident.’
Lawmaker Park, the chief floor deputy representative, mentioned, “Many lawmakers said that nearly all lawmakers stated that it would be inappropriate to conduct an internal audit regarding the candidate replacement,” adding that there was also the opinion that since the members are curious about that intent, it may be necessary to clarify it.
The time for the next party convention, which had been disputed, was reportedly agreed upon to be held at the end of August. Initially, regarding the timing of the convention, the pro-Han faction sought a prompt holding, while the party mainstream pro-Yoon faction preferred to take their time. Lawmaker Park, the chief floor deputy representative, stated, “Except for one or two individuals, nearly all members expressed that it would be better to hold the convention quickly before September or by August.”