Calls for Ruling Party Leadership Resignation Met with Caution from Some in Opposition
Park Hyung-jun "Now Is the Time to Unite"
Jang Je-won "It Will Only Increase Public Distrust"
Hyung-jun Park, former co-chairman of the United Future Party's joint election countermeasures committee / Photo by Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Amid voices within the opposition calling for the resignation of Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman, and an early party convention, some members of the People Power Party have urged caution, calling such moves "premature."
On the 29th, Park Hyung-jun, former co-chairman of the Future United Party's joint election countermeasures committee who rejoined the People Power Party, appeared on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs' and stated, "Now is the time to unite our strength; it is not appropriate to hold the leadership responsible unconditionally just because things are not going well." He expressed opposition to some lawmakers advocating for Kim's early resignation.
Park emphasized, "What is important now is for each member of the National Assembly from the People Power Party to become a warrior in the eyes of the public, fiercely presenting messages and alternatives."
Regarding next year's by-elections for the Seoul and Busan mayoral positions, he said, "I believe the primary process should not be an organizational election but rather provide the public with an opportunity to newly introduce candidates and compare their visions, policy alternatives, and personalities."
He added, "If such an opportunity is provided, existing figures within the party can also shine anew. If the People Power Party misses even this by-election, the issue of the party's survival and existence will be raised again."
On the same day, Jang Je-won, a People Power Party lawmaker, posted on his Facebook, urging restraint from lawmakers advocating for resignation, calling the push for an early party convention "premature."
Jang stated, "Some media outlets report as if I am advocating for an early party convention, but criticism and calls for resignation are different. This emergency committee was decided upon by our own collective will. It is the mark of a mature democratic party to strictly criticize what is wrong, encourage what is right, and do our best to proceed correctly."
Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
He continued, "Easily overturning our own decisions only increases public distrust," and pointed out, "We must also consider practical issues." He noted that with the Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections approaching, there is insufficient time to hold an early party convention.
Jang said, "There is not enough time to hold an early convention and then conduct primary elections for the Seoul and Busan mayoral candidates again. Of course, it could be done if attempted, but to use the drastic measure of an early convention, overwhelming consent from the majority of party members or lawmakers is required, and I feel the current situation does not meet that level."
Earlier, some opposition members called for Kim's resignation and urged the holding of an early party convention.
On the 28th, People Power Party lawmaker Cho Kyung-tae said in a radio interview, "There were high expectations for Kim Jong-in's emergency committee system at first, but it is ultimately much weaker than the previous leadership system," and questioned, "Can any citizens trust such an abnormal system, and can it be considered an alternative party?"
He added, "With no significant achievements and support rates stagnating or declining, it is a crisis situation," and argued, "To turn the tide, we must bring new vitality through a party convention."
Kim Jae-kyung, a former four-term lawmaker, criticized Kim Jong-in's emergency committee system in a Facebook post on the 26th, saying, "What has been solved by pandering to popularity and watching both sides within the party?" and stated, "Our party's leadership now should be democratic decision-making that respects the will of voters and party members, not a smart dictator."
He further criticized, "Chairman Kim should step down. The sooner, the better," calling him "not the party's rallying point but a hotbed of discontent."
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