At the First Meeting of the Emergency Committee, Joo Ho-young Apologized and Reflected... Kim Seok-ki Reelected as Secretary-General (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] Joo Ho-young, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, officially apologized for the party's situation during the first Emergency Response Committee meeting held on the morning of the 18th, saying, "We sincerely apologize and reflect to the people and party members." At the meeting, the Emergency Response Committee appointed re-elected lawmaker Kim Seok-ki as Secretary-General, and first-term lawmakers Park Jeong-ha and Jeong Hee-yong as Chief Spokesperson and Secretary to the Committee Chairman, respectively.

In his opening remarks at the first Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Chairman Joo said, "Before the formal launch of the Emergency Response Committee, we would like to begin by expressing our reflection and apology to the people and party members."

He continued, "We sincerely apologize and reflect to the people and party members for the conflicts and divisions within the party, for failing to properly resolve these conflicts and divisions which led to court proceedings, for not managing public livelihood well enough to give the people an early impression of a competent ruling party, for inappropriate remarks and actions that caused public displeasure, and for the disturbances that occurred in properly guiding the new government to an early settlement and gaining trust."

This acknowledged the party's responsibility for the provisional injunction request incident by former leader Lee Jun-seok and the recent halving of President Yoon Seok-yeol's approval ratings. Chairman Joo said, "I feel very heavy and complicated at today's first meeting as we start the Emergency Response Committee," adding, "Ideally, the Emergency Response Committee should not be formed, and if it must be, it should end quickly."

He also expressed gratitude to the committee members who willingly joined the Emergency Response Committee during difficult times to stabilize the party early and restore public trust, saying, "Let us do our best to lead a successful Emergency Response Committee, regain the trust of the people, and ensure that a proper leadership is established promptly."

He appealed to party members, saying, "We must unite. A divided organization is doomed to fail," and proposed, "If the entire party organization shakes or collapses, nothing can go well. Let us have a sense of urgency and responsibility as the ruling party and politicians for the people facing difficulties in this era, and practice empathy and compromise little by little."

The Emergency Response Committee members attending the meeting stood up together under Chairman Joo's leadership and bowed at a 90-degree angle as a gesture of commitment to do well in the future.

During a closed meeting that day, the Emergency Response Committee appointed the Secretary-General, Chief Spokesperson, and Secretary to the Committee Chairman. After the meeting, Chairman Joo told reporters that lawmakers Kim, Park, and Jeong were appointed respectively. Regarding the party's "think tank," the Yeouido Committee Chairman said, "It is in a phase of consolidation."

Regarding the party's Innovation Committee, he said, "Tomorrow, we are scheduled to receive a report on the Innovation Committee's activities from Innovation Committee Chairman Choi Jae-hyung," adding, "The Supreme Council and the Innovation Committee each have their roles and spaces for activities."