Park Jeong-ha "Ha Tae-kyung and Seo Byung-soo, the ones who shouted 'The problem is Yongsan'"

Park Jeong-ha, Senior Spokesperson of the People Power Party
"The party must innovate, but now is not the right timing"

As the People Power Party's Innovation Committee effectively ended empty-handed, senior party members Ha Tae-kyung and Seo Byung-soo raised the 'Kim Ki-hyun responsibility theory.' In response, Park Jeong-ha, the party's chief spokesperson, said, "It is true that the party needs change and innovation, but tactically, now is not the right timing."

On the 11th, Park appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and commented on Ha Tae-kyung and Seo Byung-soo, saying, "One common point among them is that after the Gangseo District Mayor by-election, they shouted that the problem was Yongsan," adding, "They also talked about the party convention results regarding Kim Ki-hyun and mentioned the emergency committee back then."

He continued, "But what they emphasize more is 'the problem is Yongsan,'" and said, "They were the ones who insisted that a healthy relationship between the party and the presidential office should come first, but suddenly that talk disappeared, and now they say the leadership should resign."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is deep in thought during the National Assembly plenary session on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News

Park pointed out, "The second commonality is that they are centered around Busan. One of them boldly gave up Busan and said he would run in a difficult district in Seoul, which was welcomed by many who said that was the right path. But suddenly, he announced he would run in Jongno, which surprised many. He is someone who is perhaps at the heart of the party's renewal or a senior member running in a difficult district, and Seo Byung-soo is similar."

Park criticized, "Those people should show a willingness to sacrifice first and demonstrate dedication, but hearing such remarks is somewhat shocking."

He said, "Elections are a game with an opponent, and you have to adapt daily to how the opponent moves in a constantly changing situation," adding, "The opponent is not prepared at all right now, but we are making the first move, which seems somewhat contradictory."

Park stated, "The nomination management committee will be formed soon, and then new figures will come in through talent recruitment, and the election committee will be established shortly," adding, "So what role would the emergency committee play in the meantime? It seems these people want a leadership vacuum and hope some space will open up during that time. That is one way to interpret it."

Furthermore, Park emphasized that at the appropriate time, there could be resignations or decisions not to run by senior members, including Kim Ki-hyun, as part of the election strategy. He said, "Contrary to what Ha Tae-kyung and Seo Byung-soo say, I believe the party leadership fully understands the spirit of innovation expressed by the Innovation Committee members," adding, "You can trust that this is proceeding step by step in an orderly manner."