Hwang Woo-yeo: "Hope Yoon's 2nd Anniversary Press Conference Embraces People's Pain and Wounds"

"Conservative Identity Was Not Firm"
"Hope to See a Big Picture of National Governance for the Next 3 Years"

Hwang Woo-yeo, the newly appointed Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, commented on President Yoon Suk-yeol's 2nd anniversary press conference, saying, "I hope it presents opinions and solutions regarding people's livelihoods and embraces the pain and wounds of the people."

Hwang Woo-yeo, Chairman of the People Power Party Election Commission, is giving a greeting at the 1st party convention held on the 25th at Nurikkum Square in Mapo-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

On the 7th, Chairman Hwang spoke on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' and KBS Radio's 'Jeon Jong-cheol's Jeonggyeok Sisa' about President Yoon's upcoming 2nd anniversary press conference on the 9th, stating, "I hope it shows a big picture of the state administration for the remaining three years." He added, "I hope they specifically discuss difficult issues such as people's livelihoods and medical problems that the public feels are lacking," and urged, "I hope it becomes a time to listen to opinions on people's livelihoods, propose solutions, and embrace the pain and wounds of the people."

Regarding the judgment on the Yoon administration, Chairman Hwang expressed regret. He said, "I wish the public had been clearly informed about what needs to be done over the next three years, but there is some disappointment," and explained, "We are preparing a white paper and plan to review the ruling party's thoughts on this."

On the cause of the People Power Party's crushing defeat in the general election, Chairman Hwang pointed out, "It seems we were negligent in setting up the framework." He said, "Wasn't what we put forward the liquidation of the 586 generation and the judgment of Lee Jae-myung and Cho Kuk (Ijo Simpan)?" He added, "Since we are the ruling party, we should have apologized to the people for our mistakes, asked for forgiveness, shown reflection, and promised to do better, while also presenting what the ruling party will do going forward." The liquidation of the 586 generation and Ijo Simpan mentioned by Chairman Hwang were election strategies led by former Emergency Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon. This can be interpreted as a statement that conflicts with former Chairman Han, who previously led the Emergency Committee.

Chairman Hwang also cited the People Power Party's failure to firmly establish its conservative identity as a cause of the defeat. He said, "We need to persuade people in the center or progressive camps to support us through conservative unity, but conservatism showed signs of division," adding, "If we waver, there is concern that conservatism itself will weaken or become marginalized."

Regarding the People Power Party's floor leader election, which is a three-way race among Song Seok-jun, Lee Jong-bae, and Chu Kyung-ho, Chairman Hwang said, "The floor leader should be the center of unity that gathers the opinions of the members." He added, "When deciding party policies, wisdom is needed to overcome hardships and crises," and cited the ability to cooperate with the opposition party as the most important quality. He said, "I hope the person chosen will be well-prepared to engage in give-and-take and discussions with the opposition."

On the party convention, he said, "According to the party's constitution and regulations, the minimum required time is about 40 days, but it is physically difficult because the election of the floor leader itself is delayed." Previously, People Power Party lawmakers viewed the party convention as taking place in 'late June to early July' and advocated for a 'management-type emergency committee.' Chairman Hwang emphasized, "We will thoroughly reflect the situation immediately after the general election and the opinions of the people," and stressed, "It is important to establish a new image of the party with the meaning of reform and reflection."