Lee Cheolgyu Returns to Party Duties After Two Weeks
Supreme Council Approves Cancellation of Disciplinary Actions,
Embracing In Yo-han's First Innovation Proposal
With the general elections for the National Assembly scheduled for next year, the People Power Party has appointed former Secretary General Lee Cheolgyu as the chair of its Talent Recruitment Committee. Just two weeks after stepping down from his previous post in the wake of the party's crushing defeat in last month's Gangseo District Mayor by-election in Seoul, Lee is returning to a party position. Additionally, the People Power Party has canceled the disciplinary actions against former party leader Lee Junseok, Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo, and others, which was the first agenda item proposed by the Innovation Committee led by In Yo-han to promote party unity.
On November 2, the People Power Party held a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly and approved the appointment of former Secretary General Lee as chair of the Talent Recruitment Committee, which will be responsible for bringing in new talent ahead of next year's general elections. Park Jungha, the party’s chief spokesperson, told reporters after the meeting, "We have approved the appointment of former Secretary General Lee as chair of the Talent Recruitment Committee," explaining, "He has long been involved in talent recruitment activities, so we considered the continuity of the work." Park added, "As with previous cases, the other committee members will be appointed in consultation with the new chair going forward."
Kim Taewoo, the People Power Party candidate for Gangseo District Mayor (left), is seen with Lee Cheolgyu, Secretary General, visiting the election office in Magok-dong, Gangseo District, Seoul, on the evening of the 11th of last month after the Gangseo District mayoral by-election voting ended, checking the voter turnout by neighborhood on a smartphone. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@
Lee, a prominent member of the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk Yeol) faction within the party, had resigned last month, taking responsibility for the defeat in the October 11 Gangseo District Mayor by-election in Seoul. Spokesperson Park commented, "The party is facing a difficult situation, and this was an unavoidable measure to recruit people who can inspire the public and further develop the National Assembly in the general elections," adding, "We will be judged by the results. Former Secretary General Lee has also said he will fully take these factors into account in his activities."
Kim Kihyun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@
The Supreme Council also approved the cancellation of party membership disciplinary actions, which was the first agenda item proposed by the Innovation Committee. The cancellation applies to former party leader Lee Junseok, Mayor Hong Joonpyo, former Chief of Staff Kim Cheolgeun, and former Supreme Council member Kim Jaewon. At the meeting, party leader Kim Kihyun stated, "While the disciplinary decisions of the party's Ethics Committee were made based on reasonable grounds and standards and should be respected, the Innovation Committee's proposal for unity for a greater party must also be respected," adding, "There may be some differing opinions, but it is right to actively embrace the values pursued by the Innovation Committee." In response, Mayor Hong, one of those whose disciplinary action was withdrawn, wrote on his social media, "I will not forget the humiliation of enduring 'gwahajiok' (the disgrace of crawling under someone's legs)," adding, "Some may think today will last forever, but they should realize that for grasshoppers, there is only one season, and for mayflies, there is no tomorrow."
Former Supreme Council member Kim Jaewon voluntarily resigned from his post following the Ethics Committee's amnesty, prompting the establishment of an election management committee for the upcoming Supreme Council by-election on the same day. Representative Kim Doeup was appointed as chair, with Representative Bae Junyoung serving as secretary. The election committee is expected to select a new Supreme Council member by the end of this month. Also, on the same day, the Supreme Council approved a motion to convene the National Committee to adopt a resolution for a merger with the Transition Korea party, following the recruitment of Representative Cho Jeonghoon. A Special Committee on Fair Election System Reform was also formed, with Representative Kim Sanghoon as chair and Representatives Lee Manhee, Jeong Jeomshik, Kim Yongpan, Cho Eunhee, Yoo Sangbeom, and Jeon Bongmin appointed as members. This special committee is expected to review the overall election system ahead of the general elections and discuss improvements, including addressing shortcomings in information protection by the National Election Commission.
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