Kim Yong-tae, chairperson of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee, has ignited internal conflict over the proposed five major reforms, including 'member opinion polls.' On the 18th, five-term lawmaker Na Kyung-won publicly criticized Chairperson Kim's push for reform, stating, 'Reform cannot belong to anyone.' Chairperson Kim responded to the internal backlash against the 'member opinion polls' by stating, 'I do not understand.'
The People Power Party held a meeting this morning in the National Assembly, chaired by floor leader Song Eon-seok, with veteran lawmakers who have served four terms or more. This meeting follows a gathering with first-term and second-term lawmakers the day before and aims to discuss the timing of the party convention and issues regarding the next leadership structure based on their terms.
Veteran lawmakers reached a consensus on the need to quickly hold a party convention to elect the next party leader. However, while they expressed agreement with Chairperson Kim's desire for innovation, there remains disagreement regarding the implementation of 'member opinion polls' and other reform proposals.
After the meeting, Na Kyung-won met with reporters and noted, 'The party's democracy and procedural legitimacy have continuously been shaken. At some point, the party's culture became violent and undemocratic, which has led to today's People Power Party.' She emphasized, 'Reform must focus on how to restore the party's democracy and how to strengthen its capabilities. Reform cannot belong to anyone.'
She further urged, 'A quick party convention can lead to reform,' emphasizing the need to hold the convention promptly. She stated that the elected party leadership must pursue reform proposals with procedural legitimacy.
Na Kyung-won also remarked, 'The format of Chairperson Kim announcing reforms alone is also undemocratic.' He added, 'The chairperson of the emergency response committee is a nominee appointed by the presidential candidate, which raises many legitimacy issues,' and concluded, 'While speed is important for reform, procedural legitimacy must be properly established for genuine reform to take place.'
In contrast, Chairperson Kim emphasized that accommodating 'member opinion polls' in the five major reform proposals could serve as a basis for institutionalizing party opinions.
That day, he met with reporters in the National Assembly and stated, 'While I am the chairperson of the emergency response committee, it is important to gather the will for reform through member opinion polls,' and added, 'If both the chairperson and the floor leader have a strong desire for innovation, they could implement reforms immediately. Delaying through the innovation committee creates misunderstandings among the citizens.'
He continued, 'There is no justification for rejecting member opinion polls,' adding, 'Asking the opinions of party members could be a starting point for resolving conflicts, and rejecting it does not make sense. I wonder if there are concerns that supporting the reform proposal might be perceived as opposing reform.'