Ruling Party's Election White Paper Considering Party Convention, Concerned About Publication Timing

Jo Jeonghun "No bright future without reflecting on the past... Han Donghun also knows well"
Ryu Jehwa "Not an issue requiring party leader candidate's consent... Should not apply pressure"

The People Power Party's Special Committee on the General Election White Paper is unable to decide on the publication timing of the white paper due to concerns about the July 23 party convention.

Jo Jung-hoon, Chairman of the People Power Party's 22nd General Election White Paper Task Force, is speaking at the plenary meeting of the 22nd General Election White Paper Special Committee held at the National Assembly on the 8th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the 8th, after a meeting at the National Assembly, Jo Jeong-hoon, chairman of the Special Committee on the General Election White Paper, told reporters, "We discussed whether it is appropriate to change the originally planned timing of the white paper publication, whether this constitutes pressure, and the burden of the white paper's publication becoming a major variable in the party convention." The white paper was initially planned to be completed by early July.

When asked who decides the timing of the white paper publication, Chairman Jo replied, "The party's Emergency Response Committee says the Special Committee on the General Election White Paper should decide, but I think political conditions for the decision need to be met." He added, "I believe the publication cannot be decided in a vacuum, and just as the party convention elects a party leader for the party's development, the general election white paper should also contribute to the party's progress." He continued, "The best scenario would be if all four future leaders agree, so it can be announced without any burden. If such conditions are not met, we will need to carefully consider how to proceed with the announcement."

However, during the meeting, there was also an argument that no pressure should be applied to any specific party leader candidate to agree to publish the white paper before the party convention. Committee member Ryu Je-hwa said, "The life of the white paper special committee lies in its independence and neutrality. If we lose that, no one will trust our content." He emphasized, "It is not a matter to be decided by getting agreement from party leader candidates on whether to publish before or after the party convention." He continued, "However, inside and outside the white paper committee, candidates are being asked whether they agree to the publication, and even pressured to agree. While it is acceptable to ask for opinions, pressuring them to agree to publish before the party convention could be seen as an attempt to politically exploit the white paper, which should be fairly prepared, by dragging it into the party convention arena." Earlier, Chairman Jo stated that except for candidate Han Dong-hoon, Na Kyung-won, Won Hee-ryong, and Yoon Sang-hyun all agreed to publish the white paper before the party convention, and that publication could proceed once Han agrees.

When asked if candidate Han has yet to respond to a meeting request, Chairman Jo said, "Yes. However, through various media interviews, he has shared information we want to know, so we are piecing together fragments by following the media. I am not alone; there are over ten white paper committee members, so I am still thinking it would be good if he comes openly and we have a cup of tea together."

Regarding concerns that the white paper might not be published if Han becomes party leader, he replied, "It is a situation I have never considered, but I assume candidate Han is well aware that there is no bright future without reflecting on the past."

Meanwhile, the Special Committee on the General Election White Paper is also discussing whether to include in the white paper the controversy over candidate Han not responding after reading a text message from Mrs. Kim Geon-hee.