Song Eon-seok, the newly appointed floor leader of the People Power Party, said on the 16th that he would quickly form an innovation committee to discuss party reforms following the presidential election defeat. He urged the ruling Democratic Party of Korea to yield the chairmanship of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee.
Song, the floor leader, reiterated his intention to hold an early party convention to establish the next party leadership right after being elected as floor leader. This reflects the consensus within the party that a leadership elected directly by party members and the public should promptly emerge to build stable leadership for the party.
The floor leader said, 'Many lawmakers expressed the view that the party convention should be held early,' adding, 'If there is nothing special, we will hold the party convention early.' He also noted, 'Since there are procedural requirements that need to be completed, time is necessary.'
Regarding the status of Kim Yong-tae, the chairperson of the emergency response committee, he stated that a decision would be made after consulting party opinions. He added, 'If it becomes necessary to extend the term of the chairperson of the emergency response committee, I will consult with Lee Heon-seung, the chair of the national committee, to make a decision.'
The floor leader has a policy of forming an innovation committee swiftly to prepare concrete procedures and directions for party renewal. In his floor leader’s speech, he said, 'I deeply sympathize with the intent of change and reform, including the proposal by Kim Yong-tae. I will gather everyone’s consensus and establish the innovation committee to prepare the specific procedures and direction for reform.'
Following this, Chairperson Kim stated regarding the five major reform proposals he suggested, 'It is appropriate for the innovation committee to discuss not only the issues raised by Chairperson Kim but also other matters, including details and procedures in the innovation committee.'
Earlier, Chairperson Kim noted that if the newly appointed floor leader accepts his proposal to conduct a party member opinion survey on the five major reforms he suggested ahead of the floor leader election, he would immediately resign from the chairperson of the emergency response committee regardless of the results.
In response, the floor leader said, 'I believe that a party member opinion survey is also a good option,' but he noted that he would also consider whether there may be divisions or conflicts arising after the party member vote, promising to discuss this in the innovation committee.
Regarding the criteria for the composition of the innovation committee, he stated, 'There is no predetermined standard,' adding, 'A primary affection for the party is essential, and a love for the country is also necessary. In this regard, individuals who are predominantly associated with specific factions or groups should think secondarily in this selection.'
He also mentioned regarding the formation of the floor leader group, 'There is still no established plan.' He promised that during the floor leader election process, 'I will ensure that the party's capabilities are fully mobilized based on the principles of inclusive personnel management and appropriate talent placement,' stating, 'I will establish a personnel principle centered on expertise and capability, rather than on regional allocation.'
Regarding the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, he said, 'After the martial law, our party members gathered opinions to say that rather than impeachment, a peaceful transition was necessary. Accordingly, (the anti-impeachment party policy) was pursued,' adding, 'No matter what processes occurred in between, we ultimately accepted the result of the impeachment trial that was conducted within the framework of constitutional order. Therefore, I wonder what benefits discussing this again would bring.'
He stated, 'If there are mistakes, I am clearly willing to recognize, apologize, and reflect on them, and I have done that until now.' He emphasized, 'However, the current president has not shown remorse or apologies for the parts that were determined to be guilty. Seeing that, isn't it true the public is quite angry?' reiterating that it is time for the party to focus its efforts on lending struggles.
In response to criticisms that the sharp decline in party approval ratings after the presidential election was due to not properly breaking from the past, he remarked, 'While one could say this, there are also criticisms that our party has not remained faithful to its identity and fundamental philosophy.' He continued, 'Since various views could arise over a single incident, I will review this comprehensively.'
Regarding the strategy for lending struggles, he expressed his intention to secure the chairmanship of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee, often referred to as the 'committee of committees.' He stated, 'The ruling party taking on the Speaker of the National Assembly while the second-largest party holds the chairmanship of the Legislative and Judiciary Committee is a long-standing practice that provides checks and balances with legislative authority to pass bills.' He added, 'To restore parliamentary politics, the ruling party should begin by yielding in that area. I will negotiate that aspect.'
Concerning the amendment to the Commercial Act that the Democratic Party has announced it will advance as a top priority for people's livelihood legislation, he remarked, 'It seems there is a slight difference between what they claimed while in opposition and their current thinking as the ruling party,' adding, 'Negotiations are necessary.'