Reform New Party Hit by Impeachment Aftershock... Conflict Over Party Operation Methods

Kim Cheol-geun Secretary-General Abruptly Replaced
Organizational Reform Spreads Ahead of Early Presidential Election

Reform New Party leader Heo Eun-ah's sudden replacement of Secretary-General Kim Cheol-geun, who oversees the party's secretariat, has sparked rumors of internal conflict. The prevailing interpretation is that disagreements over party management methods have intensified ahead of the early presidential election triggered by the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol.

On the 16th, the Reform New Party replaced three key secretariat figures: Secretary-General Kim, Deputy Head of Strategic Planning Jeong Jae-jun, and Deputy Head of Organization Lee Kyung-sun. Initially, the Reform New Party stated that the personnel changes scheduled during the current state of emergency had been postponed, but party officials expressed bewilderment over the replacement of key secretariat personnel overseeing party affairs at a time when the possibility of an early presidential election had increased.

The reason for the replacement is rumored to be that Secretary-General Kim had reviewed amendments to the party constitution and regulations last month to strengthen the independence of the secretary-general, which leader Heo learned of belatedly and replaced him in a dismissal-like move. The reason given was that the amendments were made without reporting to the party leader. However, this is known to be only a superficial justification for the replacement. The essence of the replacement incident lies in the long-standing discord between the party secretariat and the party leader over party management.

Heo Eun-ah, a member of the People Power Party, is entering the press conference room at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 3rd for a press conference on leaving the party. Behind her is Lee Jun-seon, former leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Reform New Party officials issued a statement on the 17th claiming, "During Heo Eun-ah's last term as party leader, vision and policy were put aside, and the party and secretariat officials were mobilized solely to promote the individual 'Heo Eun-ah'." Park Seung-min, chairman of the party officials' labor union, said, "Recently, Heo even expressed a desire to join independent internal bodies such as the Personnel Committee and the Special Committee for Organizational Strengthening."

There is also analysis that the possibility of an early presidential election following President Yoon's impeachment has superficially triggered the conflict between the two sides. Former Reform New Party leader and lawmaker Lee Jun-seok announced that he is "seriously considering" running for president, which has increased the internal need for a comprehensive organizational overhaul, including the party leader. Questions among party officials have grown about maintaining Heo's leadership until the launch of the party's central election committee ahead of the election phase.

Regarding the conflict, lawmaker Lee urged Heo to take responsible action to resolve it. On his social media, he stated, "A person who finds themselves isolated must take responsibility," and questioned, "How is it possible to be rejected by everyone who loves the party in such a short time?" Heo is expected to appoint a new secretary-general and deputy secretary-general as early as this week. Jeong In-seong, political director of the Reform New Party, said, "This was a personnel reform prepared to mark the party's first anniversary in January next year."