30 Years of Life in Politics, Never Favored Anyone
Emergency Committee Also Discussed Following Special Committee's Conclusion
Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, recently drew a line regarding the controversial party leadership system change, stating that it is "not related to Yongsan (the Presidential Office) or any specific candidate."
On the 10th, Chairman Hwang told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "I have no intention of watching the Presidential Office's mood or favoring any (party representative) candidate," clarifying his stance.
Hwang Woo-yeo, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the appointment ceremony and first meeting of the Party Constitution and Rules Revision Special Committee held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on the 4th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Ahead of the revision of the party convention rules to elect the next leadership of the People Power Party, criticism arose inside and outside the party that the move was targeting Han Dong-hoon, a prominent candidate for party leadership and former emergency committee member. Chairman Hwang mentioned the so-called 'hybrid leadership system,' which mixes a single leadership system and a collective leadership system, in several interviews. This has been narrowed down to a two-person system where the party leader is elected and the runner-up is appointed as chief. However, as this system was interpreted to allow candidates who could check former committee member Han to be elected as supreme council members, suspicions arose that Chairman Hwang might be linked to the Presidential Office.
Chairman Hwang actively clarified these controversies. He emphasized, "I have been involved in party activities for 30 years," and added, "I have never taken sides, so the trust has been built up until now." He further stated, "I neither hate nor favor any specific candidate, and I strictly keep that line."
Regarding the revision of the party convention rules for the next leadership, Chairman Hwang said it is "not yet" his intention to leave the issue to the next leadership, expressing respect for the decision of the Party Constitution and Rules Revision Special Committee, which was officially launched on the 4th. Chairman Hwang said, "Since the special committee is reviewing it, once the committee reaches a conclusion, the emergency committee will discuss it and then it will move on to the Standing National Committee." He added, "We are in the preparation stage, and the decision-making authority lies there (at the Standing National Committee)."
Meanwhile, the special committee is expected to decide on the reflection ratio of public opinion polls as early as today. The committee is discussing ▲ the ratio of public opinion (poll) reflection ▲ leadership system transition ▲ separation of party leadership and presidential candidacy. However, the review related to the leadership system transition is expected to continue until the term ends on the 12th. Yeo Sang-gyu, chairman of the special committee, said in a phone interview on the day, "I requested all members to attend today," and added, "Many things will be concluded today or tomorrow."
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