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The People Power Party has entered the final stage of transitioning to an Emergency Response Committee. Inside and outside the party, Minister of Justice Han Dong-hoon is seen as the leading candidate for the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, but concerns raised by some are a variable.

On the afternoon of the 18th, the People Power Party will hold a joint meeting at the National Assembly attended by its members of parliament and party district committee chairs to discuss the appointment plan for the party's Emergency Response Committee Chairperson following the resignation of former leader Kim Ki-hyun. The candidates currently mentioned for the next Emergency Response Committee Chairperson include Minister Han, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong, and Kim Han-gil, Chairperson of the National Integration Committee.

Earlier that morning, the People Power Party's Supreme Council meeting was held in a farewell atmosphere. Yoon Jae-ok, Acting Party Leader and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, said at the meeting, "Various candidates are being mentioned through the media. They are candidates with excellent character and sufficient capability," adding, "We will appoint an Emergency Response Committee Chairperson who meets expectations for good innovation and intense deliberation."

Minister Han is highly likely to take on the role of Emergency Response Committee Chairperson. Ahead of next year's general election, there is a need for a figure with star power and high recognition like Minister Han to revitalize the atmosphere. Kim Byung-min, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, said on SBS Radio, "According to opinion polls, Minister Han is almost the only presidential candidate within the People Power Party who can rival Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party," adding, "If Minister Han can harness that power and vigorously pursue the reform and innovation path promoted by former Innovation Committee Chairperson In Yo-han, I think he could truly change the game." This suggests that, in addition to the effect of a leading presidential candidate's election participation, there is potential for expansion.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Jang Ye-chan, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, hinted at support for Minister Han as Emergency Response Committee Chairperson during a public statement at the Supreme Council meeting. Jang said, "It is party democracy to appoint an Emergency Response Committee Chairperson desired by the people and party members, not just by members of the National Assembly," adding, "We have seen experienced politicians fail to respond effectively to opposition party attacks. We urge strong, smart change with new and young leadership."

However, concerns within the party are significant. Seong Il-jong, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on CBS Radio, "If such a valuable resource (Minister Han) appears too early and suffers concentrated attacks from the opposition, he could be wounded, so various political judgments need to be considered," adding, "We need to consider a case like former Emergency Response Committee Chairperson Kim Jong-in as a model."

Shin Pyeong, a lawyer once called President Yoon Seok-youl's mentor, also expressed opposition to Minister Han's appointment as Emergency Response Committee Chairperson. On BBS Radio, Shin diagnosed, "Minister Han's support base remains conservative with weak centrist expansion power, lacking the strength to lead the entire general election, and if the election results are poor, he could become expendable." Shin added, "In Minister Won's case, considering his career and political experience so far, I believe he can lead the general election situation well as Emergency Response Committee Chairperson."

There was also an opinion that if there is a large disagreement over the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, a management-type Emergency Response Committee system could be considered. Choi Jae-hyung, a People Power Party lawmaker, said on MBC Radio, "If the selection of the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson does not reach consensus within the party, Acting Leader Yoon could form a Nomination Management Committee to launch and organize the election campaign headquarters, and then whoever becomes the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson could lead the party in a management-type manner. That is one option."