'Complete Defeat' Responsibility Leads Ruling Party Leadership to Resign En Masse... Do Jong-hwan Enters Emergency Committee System

Next Month's Party Convention Scheduled Earlier, Floor Leader Election Moved Up
Rep. Do Jong-hwan to Serve as Emergency Committee Chair Until Floor Leader Election on the 16th
Temporary Parliamentary Convention Committee Chair Includes Chair Byun Jae-il and 19 Members Approved

[Asia Economy Reporters Oh Ju-yeon and Jeon Jin-young] The Democratic Party of Korea has taken the drastic step of 'total resignation of the leadership' and 'launching an emergency response committee system' to take responsibility for the crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections. The party convention to elect the currently vacant party leader was originally scheduled for the 9th of next month but has been moved up by about a week to be held on the 2nd. Until a new floor leader is elected on the 16th of this month, Representative Do Jong-hwan will serve as the emergency committee chairman. Afterwards, the newly elected floor leader will become the emergency committee chairman and lead the party.

Kim Tae-nyeon, Acting Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is bowing his head after finishing his speech at the virtual party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 8th, the Democratic Party held a video meeting of lawmakers starting at 10:30 a.m. and engaged in heated debate over the total resignation of the leadership and the emergency committee system, ultimately deciding on the total resignation of the leadership as outlined.

Kim Tae-nyeon, acting party leader, issued a public statement at 1 p.m. from the National Assembly party leader's office, stating, "The Democratic Party of Korea will take responsibility for the results of this election and resign en masse." He added, "We will devote ourselves to reform so that the Democratic Party can be reborn as a party that receives the trust and love of the people again, like a deeply rooted tree."

Kim also said, "The party convention and floor leader election will be held as soon as possible," and "The newly elected leadership will lead innovation that aligns with public sentiment."

The total resignation of the leadership and the emergency committee system had also been mentioned at an emergency meeting convened after the exit poll results were released the previous day. However, with less than a year remaining until next year's presidential election, some expressed concerns about the burden of completely overturning the party structure and starting anew, so no conclusion was easily reached. Until just before the start of the meeting that day, party members were extremely cautious and reluctant to discuss changes to the party system.

However, after receiving a devastating defeat in all 41 autonomous districts of Seoul and Busan and confirming the loss of public support, it was judged that it would be difficult to show signs of reform through by-elections that only fill some positions, such as former party leader Lee Nak-yeon.

Choi In-ho, senior spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at a briefing with reporters after the meeting, "To preserve the sincerity of the leadership's decision to resign en masse for thorough reflection and innovation, we have decided to hold the party convention and floor leader election as quickly as possible."

The party convention, originally scheduled for May 9, will be held on the 2nd. The floor leader election will be held on the 16th of this month, and in the meantime, Representative Do Jong-hwan will take responsibility as the emergency committee chairman.

As emergency committee members, seven people including Representatives Min Hong-chul and Do Jong-hwan, who are responsible for various national policy areas, will serve. For the temporary national assembly party convention, 19 members including Chairman Byun Jae-il were approved.

Senior spokesperson Choi said, "Going forward, during the floor leader election and party convention process, the party will fully engage in communication with lawmakers and party members," adding, "Through comprehensive communication between lawmakers and party members, the Democratic Party will thoroughly discuss and decide on the issues it must reflect on, innovate, and uphold in the future."