Innovation Committee and Party Leadership Resolve Conflict... Controversy Over Lee Jun-seok-led Emergency Committee Remains

Kim Ki-hyun "Please Deliver Ideas Without Reservation"
In Yo-han "Will Continue to Give Honest Criticism Innovatively"
Jo-gi Supports Gonggwan Committee but Pressure on Innovation Committee Likely to Continue

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, held a sudden meeting with Innovation Committee Chairman In Yo-han on the 17th, appearing to mend the recent conflicts. However, the Innovation Committee issued a high-intensity reform proposal on the same day, excluding 'all district strategic nominations' for next year's general election, stepping up pressure for reform. Amid ongoing internal strife within the People Power Party over the 'pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) candidacy in difficult districts' theory, speculation about Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon's run for the general election is gaining traction, fueling calls for the launch of an emergency response committee to replace Kim's leadership.

On the day, Kim met with Chairman In at the People Power Party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, "Unlike in the past, I appreciate you creating a successful model and actively working," adding that he hopes the Innovation Committee will continue to convey candid opinions and ideas. Park Jeong-ha, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, relayed this. In response, Chairman In said, "For the advancement of the party and our politics, I will continue to deliver painful but innovative frank criticism to the party."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party (left), and In Yo-han, chairman of the Innovation Committee, are shaking hands on the 17th at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The meeting was arranged to reconcile conflicts between the two sides after calls for the early disbandment of the Innovation Committee emerged internally and a direct clash occurred between Chairman In and Leader Kim over the 'pro-Yoon candidacy in difficult districts' theory. Chairman In referred to a message from President Yoon Suk-yeol's side urging to "act boldly according to your convictions" and repeatedly urged Kim to make a decision, while Kim responded sharply, saying, "The party leader will make decisions about the conduct of the party leader."

Kim's camp is strengthening moves to secure control over party operations ahead of next year's general election by, among other things, launching the nomination management committee early. The party leader's office plans to introduce new faces through the Talent Recruitment Committee and the General Election Planning Group and announce various pledges as part of its strategy.

Policies related to nominations and youth reported by the Innovation Committee will also be discussed by the Nomination Management Committee or the General Election Planning Group. Bae Jun-young, deputy head of strategic planning, told reporters after a meeting of the General Election Planning Group the previous day, "Our goal is to launch the Nomination Management Committee as soon as possible so that our candidates can actively campaign on the ground."

There is concern about the resurgence of rumors regarding the launch of an emergency response committee following the defeat in the Gangseo District Office election. Former leader Lee Jun-seok said on a radio program on the 15th, "If Chairman In Yo-han of the Innovation Committee is substantially supported by the president, it will be difficult for Yoon's core associates (Yunhaekgwan) to resist," adding, "Within one to two weeks, once Leader Kim Ki-hyun's position is settled, the older conservative base might rally around the idea that 'Minister Han Dong-hoon is fighting decisively; he should be the emergency response committee chairman.'" The former leader also provoked Kim by saying the previous evening, "If I were to take on such a role (emergency response committee chairman) tomorrow and be given full authority, I am confident we could secure 110 to 120 seats." A People Power Party official said, "After the collapse of Hong Joon-pyo's leadership in 2011, Park Geun-hye's emergency response committee was launched in December, and the general election was held in April the following year," adding, "December is not too late a time to launch an emergency response committee." At that time, the Saenuri Party won a landslide victory with 152 seats in the 2012 general election.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party (left), and In Yo-han, chairman of the Innovation Committee, are meeting and having a discussion on the 17th at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Even after the meeting, pressure from the Innovation Committee centered on the second reform proposal is expected to intensify. Chairman In expressed again that some Innovation Committee members are dissatisfied with the party leadership's refusal to accept the reform proposals. Along with the second proposal related to non-candidacy, the third reform proposal, including '50% youth allocation for proportional representation' and 'selection of youth strategic districts,' was reported to the party leadership, but the Supreme Council did not approve it and deferred discussion to the Nomination Management Committee and others. Innovation Committee member Kim Kyung-jin said, "Chairman In conveyed that he hopes the party would accept the Innovation Committee's resolutions more actively and promptly."

After the meeting, the Innovation Committee also announced a fourth reform proposal mandating fair primaries without exceptions and excluding from nominations anyone who has caused social controversies or has a criminal record involving imprisonment or higher, which damages the party's honor. Additionally, the Innovation Committee invited former Saenuri Party (predecessor of the People Power Party) leader Kim Moo-sung and Lee Jong-chan, chairman of the Liberation Association and mentor to President Yoon, to hear their opinions. After the meeting with the Innovation Committee, former leader Kim Moo-sung told reporters, "I said that those who monopolize and enjoy power around the president should sacrifice themselves for the party." This essentially aligns with the second reform proposal of the Innovation Committee. Chairman Lee Jong-chan praised Chairman In as a "symbol of reformist conservatism" and said, "I hope the party will specially support him so that he can work boldly with conviction."