The Democratic Party Struggles to Recover from By-election Defeat... Negative Sentiment Toward Leadership Resignation

Emergency top leadership meeting replaced by 1-on-1 talks between party leader and top committee members on the 13th
Opinion gathering process including Innovation Committee
Negative stance on reform measures such as 'mass resignation'

The People Power Party is making every effort to recover from its crushing defeat in the Gangseo District mayoral by-election. Preparations for the general election are being accelerated, and the launch of an Innovation Committee is being discussed. Discussions about leadership change and reform, which had been raised in some quarters, appear to be excluded.

On the morning of the 13th, starting at 9 a.m., Party Leader Kim Ki-hyun began individual meetings with Supreme Council members, including Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok and Policy Committee Chair Park Dae-chul, to gather opinions on party innovation measures. This is part of the process to collect detailed feedback on innovation plans, including the formation of the Innovation Committee. For now, the People Power Party is focusing on recovery under the banner of innovation rather than reform. Meetings at the leadership level and opinion gathering through party caucuses are expected to be turning points.

Kim Byung-min, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, after a 20-minute meeting with Leader Kim, said, "As someone active as an out-of-office district committee chair in the metropolitan area, I spoke frankly about the public sentiment and mood in the metropolitan area and the current situation regarding how the People Power Party is viewed. I emphasized that the party must devote all efforts to regain the hearts of the people in the metropolitan area and bring about change." Regarding personnel reform, he said, "I shared many specific and diverse opinions," but refrained from detailing specific proposals.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim Ga-ram, a Supreme Council member from Honam, when asked by reporters after the meeting whether voluntary resignation was discussed, replied, "Not at all," adding, "There was no such discussion in any public setting, and I have no idea why such talk surfaced." He stated that resignation was not mentioned at all. He described the nature of the meeting as "a process of gathering opinions on how to regain trust in preparation for next year's general election."

Floor Leader Yoon, after the morning National Assembly audit countermeasure meeting, told reporters regarding questions about improving the party's constitution, "We are aware of the concerns among party members and the public who support the party," and said, "Party officials, led by the party leader, are collecting opinions through various channels to find ways to address those worries and concerns."

The People Power Party leadership held a closed-door meeting early the previous morning to devise countermeasures for the Gangseo District by-election defeat. At this meeting, various opinions were expressed, including appointing a new head of the Talent Recruitment Committee, a position previously held by Leader Kim, and discussions about leadership responsibility. However, it is known that resignation of the leadership is not being considered. Although opinions were raised about the need for appointed party officials to resign during the closed meeting, the party is not seriously considering this at this stage. Secretary-General Lee Cheol-gyu and Leader Kim remained silent when asked by reporters about comprehensive reform the day before.

Inside and outside the party, demands for substantive innovation are being voiced rather than changing the current leadership structure. Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo, who served as the standing advisor to the campaign committee in the Gangseo District mayoral by-election, said on MBC Radio when asked whether the Kim leadership should be maintained, "I think formality is not important. Content is what matters." He then mentioned inclusive politics encompassing third parties as a plan for party innovation. On KBS Radio, he said, "If our party changes enough to attract even those who want to form a third new party to join us, our party can win the general election."

Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won also emphasized on KBS Radio, "This is not about blaming anyone but about properly recognizing and responding to the reality of the current situation," adding, "Forming so-called emergency committees only causes confusion within the party."

The People Power Party plans to hold a party caucus on the 15th to gather opinions from lawmakers on the election results and countermeasures. Floor Leader Yoon said, "At this point, we intend to openly listen to the opinions of the lawmakers about the election results, what preparations the party should make ahead of the general election, and what parts need to be corrected."