Joo Ho-young's Metropolitan Area Leadership Bid... "Not Yoon's Will"
Official Launch of People's Sympathy... 65 of 117 Affiliated Lawmakers Participate
Launch Ceremony on the 7th Resembles a Mini Lawmaker Meeting
Kwon Seong-dong, a member of the People Power Party, and Jang Je-won attended the study group 'National Sympathy' held at the National Assembly on the 7th, exchanging greetings. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Geum Bo-ryeong] As Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, raised the issue of the 'MZ Generation and Seoul Metropolitan Area Party Leader Theory,' sparking controversy within the party, Jang Je-won, one of the so-called 'Yunhakkwan'?key figures close to President Yoon Seok-yeol?distanced himself from interpretations that the president's intentions were reflected, calling it "inappropriate."
On the morning of the 7th, Jang attended the first event of the pro-Yoon study group 'Gukmin Gonggam' held at the National Assembly and told reporters regarding Joo's Seoul Metropolitan Area party leader theory, "I do not understand the intention behind such remarks," adding, "There are so many issues related to the floor, including the need to finalize the budget and the intertwined issue of the state audit investigation, so there was no need to make such comments."
Earlier, on the 3rd, Joo Ho-young made remarks during a meeting with Daegu-based journalists, referring to major party leadership contenders within the party as "unsatisfactory." Subsequently, some within the party analyzed that this might reflect 'Yoon's mind.' However, Jang dismissed this by saying, "When the media saw the phrase 'unsatisfactory,' they said it contained 'Yoon's mind,' but I believe our president would not say such things about our party convention candidates." Regarding the rapidly emerging ministerial recruitment theory tied to the 'MZ Generation and Seoul Metropolitan Area' party leader theory, he emphasized, "I think our president has absolutely no such thoughts."
Gukmin Gonggam, officially launched within the party on this day, is the largest faction within the ruling party, with 65 out of 117 lawmakers participating. The meeting saw a large attendance from party leadership candidates to senior members, resembling a 'mini party caucus.' Nevertheless, they drew a line against the perception of it being a 'factional meeting.' Jang questioned, "Today’s launch overcomes such criticisms of being a factional meeting," and added, "Lawmakers sat passionately until the end studying; how can this be called a factional meeting?" Lee Cheol-gyu, the general secretary of the meeting, also stated in his greeting, "This meeting is a purely study group," and "We will never hold a factional meeting as some fear."
At the event, party leadership candidates Kim Ki-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo appeared, along with Kwon Seong-dong and Jang Je-won, known as the 'original Yunhakkwan.' Also present were senior lawmakers with three or more terms such as Cho Hae-jin, Park Dae-chul, and Ha Tae-kyung. Additionally, local party committee chairpersons and journalists gathered, filling the lecture hall. Although there were rumors of discord between Kwon and Jang during the launch of Mindulle, the predecessor of Gukmin Gonggam, they shook hands at the event.
Kim Hyung-seok, honorary professor at Yonsei University and the day's speaker, delivered a speech titled "Politics Asks Philosophy - The Path of Liberal Democracy." Born in 1920 in Pyongyang, Professor Kim intertwined his life and political history to emphasize 'liberal democracy.' He explained, "Making liberal democracy succeed is the happiness of the Republic of Korea and the only way to elevate Korea to a proud nation," adding, "We must solve very basic everyday issues such as 'Do not be a sycophant,' 'Do not be a person who divides people,' and give hope to the people."
Professor Kim also said, "If liberal democracy moves in this direction, coexistence is possible, but if we overcome the current situation and the left and right remain as conservatives and progressives, we can create a greater future," and added, "We must understand how world history has flowed and set the direction for what the rule of law means."
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