"In Yohan Apologizes for Yeongnam Veteran's Risky Candidacy Proposal"... Ruling Party Factions Boil Over

Yeo Innovation Committee to Visit Gwangju 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and National Cemetery on the 30th... "National Unity"
Kim Yong-pan Criticizes "TK Treated Like a Caught Fish"

The ruling party has been engulfed in internal strife over the 'proposal for senior Yeongnam region members to run in difficult constituencies' suggested by In Yohan, chairman of the People Power Party's Innovation Committee. Although the Innovation Committee has recently been actively promoting 'integration' as its banner, critical voices continue to emerge within the party.

At the People Power Party's lawmakers' meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th, criticism from party members regarding the proposal for senior Yeongnam region members to run in difficult constituencies was continuous. Kim Yong-pan, a lawmaker representing Daegu Dalseo-byeong, told reporters after the meeting, "Chairman In said, 'The forces downstream of the Nakdong River should take a back seat,' which was probably meant as a joke, but he should sincerely apologize to the citizens of Daegu and Gyeongbuk for this." He added, "It is as if (the citizens of TK) are being treated like caught fish. This is truly disrespectful," calling it "behavior close to such conduct."

Kim also criticized the approach to elections in the metropolitan area. When asked whether he agreed with the criticism that the People Power Party should shed its 'Yeongnam Party' image, he said, "That is not wrong in a broad sense," but added, "We should not rely only on Yeongnam but properly nominate candidates and develop policies in the metropolitan area to get many elected there. Ignoring TK and treating them like caught fish will lead to failure." After Kim's remarks at the meeting, Ryu Seong-geol, a lawmaker representing Daegu Dong-gu Gap, reportedly made similar comments.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The party leadership is currently refraining from official responses. After the meeting, party leader Kim Ki-hyun told reporters, "The Innovation Committee has not yet made any proposals. If they formally propose something, there will be an opportunity to speak about it," before leaving. Chairman In recently referred to Kim and former floor leader Joo Ho-young as 'Yeongnam stars' in a public interview.

Floor leader Yoon Jae-ok also told reporters after the meeting, "Since the Innovation Committee has just started, various opinions can emerge. I can express my personal opinion on proposals officially discussed and approved by the Innovation Committee, but we are not at that stage yet," adding, "I think the Innovation Committee is currently in the process of gathering consensus for party innovation."

Chairman In stated that the related interview was a 'misreport.' After paying respects at the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery that afternoon, he told reporters, "Many misreports are coming out. People are misinterpreting that I took a step back," and said, "Precisely, if excellent lawmakers from Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do come to Seoul and have competitiveness, I hope they get some support. I did not mention any names, and there is no greater or lesser meaning to it."

Meanwhile, as its first official activity that day, the People Power Party Innovation Committee visited the Gwangju 5·18 Democratic Cemetery and then the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery, emphasizing 'integration.' Chairman In visited the Gwangju 5·18 Democratic Cemetery in the morning and wrote in the guestbook, "Gwangju is completing the democracy of the Republic of Korea." In the afternoon, he immediately visited the National Seoul Memorial Cemetery and left a message in the guestbook saying, "We will not forget the sacrifices! Thank you. We will further develop the nation."

The Innovation Committee mentioned 'integration' as the background for this day's activities. It is a word that Chairman In has emphasized since taking the position. Innovation Committee member Kim Kyung-jin told reporters in Gwangju, "At the Innovation Committee's first meeting, it was decided that the first official schedule involving everyone should be the 5·18 cemetery for East-West harmony and national integration of the Republic of Korea," adding, "It means national integration, people’s integration, and East-West integration. Comforting the pain of Gwangju is the first step to comforting the pain of modern Korean history."

Chairman In also told reporters after paying respects at the memorial cemetery, "We remember those who sacrificed for the nation, and as we visit here, we intend to walk steadily with the resolve to sacrifice ourselves and to be a force for integration."