"Yoon Government Fails to Meet Expectations"
Additional Resignations May Lead to Emergency Committee
Possibility of Reconfirmation Discussion at Party Meeting
On the 29th, Bae Hyun-jin, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, expressed her intention to resign from her position as a Supreme Council Member after concluding the Supreme Council Members' meeting at the National Assembly. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] On the 29th, Bae Hyun-jin, a member of the People Power Party, announced her resignation as a Supreme Council member. This came after the controversy over the disclosure of the 'internal criticism' text messages, signaling her intention to step down from the 'Kwon Seong-dong acting leader' system, raising speculation that Kwon's leadership might be shaken. The appointment procedure for the Supreme Council members allocated to the People Party, which was on the agenda that day, was not discussed at all.
After a closed Supreme Council meeting that day, Bae met with reporters and stated, "Since the Yoon Seok-yeol government was launched last May, the people have given hope and expectations for us to do well, but even after about 80 days, we have not met those expectations satisfactorily," expressing her intention to resign. She added, "I believe it is time to show responsibility as a member of the leadership," and said, "We must take responsibility properly, and if we do not cut it off in time, greater confusion will ensue."
However, Bae seemed conscious of the public opinion of the 'Yunhakkwan' (core associates of President Yoon Seok-yeol), saying, "I have been concerned since the vacancy crisis of party leader Lee Jun-seok," and added, "I think it is time for at least one person to show responsibility, even now."
At a time when the responsibility of Acting Leader Kwon is being raised following the leak of text messages between Kwon and President Yoon Seok-yeol, Bae's resignation announcement has fueled suspicions that the party might be transitioning to an emergency response committee. Kim Ki-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker known as a potential next party leader, criticized the party leadership on his Facebook that day, saying, "Extraordinary measures must be taken in extraordinary times," and "At such a critical time, our party leadership is not helping President Yoon, who is working hard, but rather adding to his burden, which makes me deeply troubled."
However, for the transition to an emergency response committee system, a majority of the seven Supreme Council members must declare their resignation, and currently, Bae is the only member who has expressed such intention. It is known within the party that some members who had decided to resign have since reversed their decision.
Kwon Seong-dong, Acting Leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and is talking with Supreme Council member Bae Hyun-jin during the meeting. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
Until the day before, the agenda for that day's Supreme Council meeting was expected to include the procedure to increase the number of Supreme Council members to appoint two members recommended by the People Party and the by-election for former Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won. However, these were reportedly not discussed due to the resignation agenda of the Supreme Council members.
Acting Leader Kwon did not respond to reporters' questions that day and left immediately after the meeting. Other members attending the Supreme Council also remained tight-lipped. Supreme Council member Jo Su-jin told reporters, "According to party rules, all members must resign to move to an emergency response committee," and requested, "Please direct your questions to Acting Leader Kwon as the unified point of contact."
Within the party, there are rumors that a party members' meeting might be held on the 1st of next month to discuss a motion of confidence in Acting Leader Kwon. Regarding this, Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on a radio show that day, "If the motion of confidence fails, we must move to an early party convention," adding, "There is no other way."
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