Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, who ran for the leadership of the People Power Party, expressed regret over the new leadership's 'Yeonpotang (solidarity, inclusion, and balance)' appointments and raised his voice for the need of a floor leader from the Seoul metropolitan area.
On the 16th, on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' Rep. Yoon said, "There are many disappointing points to consider it as Yeonpotang," and pointed out, "Secretary-General Lee Cheol-gyu, Deputy Chair of Strategic Planning Park Seong-min, Deputy Chair of Organization Bae Hyun-jin?all of them are pro-Yoon faction, and although it was said that Supreme Council Member Kang Dae-sik is pro-Yoo Seung-min faction, he also signed the petition supporting former Rep. Na Kyung-won."
He added, "If it were truly Yeonpotang, I hope Rep. Kim Ki-hyun, the party leader, would have taken a more progressive approach," and expressed regret that "he should have listened to the opinions of candidates Ahn Cheol-soo, Hwang Kyo-ahn, and Chun Ha-ram to make some party appointments."
He emphasized the need for a floor leader from the Seoul metropolitan area in the upcoming floor leader election, which could take place as early as early next month. Rep. Yoon also represents Incheon Dong and Michuhol Districts and is considered a candidate for floor leader. He said, "Currently, our People Power Party has almost no seats in the metropolitan area. In Seoul, it's 41 (Democratic Party) to 8 (People Power Party), and in Gyeonggi Province, out of 59 seats, our United Future Party had only won 7 seats at that time," adding, "A great leap forward in the metropolitan area is necessary."
However, he stated that he has not yet decided whether to run. He said, "It's not the stage to talk about that yet; right now, stabilizing the Kim Ki-hyun leadership system is important," and added, "Internally, we are very divided, but it is important to reconcile and move forward as one united body. It's not the time to talk about running for floor leader or anything else."
He also emphasized that a sincere apology from Japan should be made at the Korea-Japan summit held in Tokyo that day. He said, "Before the 50th anniversary statement in 1999, Japan expressed deep remorse and heartfelt apology for the excessive suffering and damage caused by its colonial rule in the Murayama Statement. Prime Minister Fumio Kishida must mention this deep remorse and heartfelt apology to President Yoon Suk-yeol," and added, "Furthermore, Japanese war crime companies should apologize for forced mobilization and human rights violations related to past issues, and there should be measures such as responding to the fund-raising of the forced labor foundation or contributing to a future youth fund."
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