The Innovation Committee of the United Party Ends Early Today... Heated Debate Over 'Kim Ki-hyun's Resignation' Within the Party

Comprehensive Report on Supreme Council Innovation Plan on the 11th
Ended About Two Weeks Earlier Than Original Deadline
Ha Tae-gyeong and Seo Byung-su Urge 'Party Leader Resignation'
Some Say "It's Not the Right Time Yet"

The People Power Party Innovation Committee will comprehensively report its innovation plan to the party leadership on the 11th and conclude its activities early. Within the People Power Party, internal noise surrounding the resignation issue of Representative Kim Gi-hyeon continues unabated.

According to political circles, the Innovation Committee plans to conclude its activities by reporting the innovation plan from the grand amnesty for unification (No. 1) to the non-candidacy or running in difficult constituencies by the party mainstream and leadership (No. 6) at the Supreme Council meeting in the afternoon. Originally, the Innovation Committee had set the end date as the 24th, but it will now end about two weeks earlier. The Innovation Committee experienced internal conflicts after recommending last month that the party leadership either not run or run in difficult constituencies, amid some party members' backlash and the leadership's lukewarm attitude.

Inyohan, Chairman of the Innovation Committee of the People Power Party, is speaking at the 12th plenary meeting held at the Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul on the 7th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

At the Supreme Council, while there is an intention to reflect the innovation plan, it is expected that a formal resolution will not be considered. Chief Spokesperson Park Jeong-ha said on SBS Radio that day, "The Supreme Council cannot decide everything, and some parts need to be decided by the Public Relations Committee," adding, "I think it is right to observe and wait for those matters." He continued, "The ideas that the Innovation Committee members have pondered will all be absorbed by the party and approach you in a bigger form."

However, some within the party are voicing calls for Representative Kim Gi-hyeon to resign, arguing that he is not actively leading party reform. Ha Tae-kyung, who had earlier declared a 'sacrifice' by leaving his three-term constituency in Busan to run in a difficult constituency in the Seoul metropolitan area, stated on Facebook that day, "Kim Gi-hyeon, who ran for party leader in January, pledged 5560 (55% party approval rating and 60% presidential approval rating). However, Kim's report card over the past 10 months is dismal," adding, "The only way to keep the 5560 promise is for Kim to voluntarily resign."

Seobyeong-su, a five-term senior lawmaker from Busan, also emphasized on Facebook the previous day, "The failure of the Innovation Committee is a prelude to the People Power Party's defeat in next year's parliamentary election," and stressed, "It is time to make a decision." On the 7th, when the Innovation Committee declared its 'early termination,' lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo said, "Now it is time for Representative Kim Gi-hyeon and the leadership to present an answer on how to regain public sentiment and secure victory in the general election," evaluating, "Innovation has failed."

However, there are also opinions that demanding resignation immediately is premature. Supreme Council member Kim Byung-min drew a line regarding Kim's resignation on SBS Radio that day, saying, "Kim Gi-hyeon's own words should confirm his willingness to sacrifice, and he must show the public what kind of leadership he will use to lead this party." He added, "I believe this week is the golden time."

Chief Spokesperson Park also commented on the 'party leader resignation theory' raised by lawmakers Ha and Seo, saying, "I think half is right and half is wrong," adding, "Strategically, the party needs to change and innovate, but tactically, it is hard to agree that now is the right timing."