[Full Text] Kwon Young-se "Apology for Emergency Martial Law and Yoon's Impeachment... Proposal for a State Affairs Consultative Body"

"Will Not Stop Whipping Change and Innovation"
"Government Paralysis Due to Impeachment... To the Affected Citizens"
Regarding Passenger Plane Accident, "Doing Our Best to Manage the Accident and Support Victims"

Kwon Young-se, a five-term veteran lawmaker, has been appointed as the new Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. In his inaugural speech on the 30th, Chairman Kwon apologized for causing anxiety and concern to the public due to the emergency martial law and the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol. He also called for political stability amid the chaotic situation, party innovation, and bipartisan cooperation, emphasizing the need to stabilize people’s livelihoods amid deepening domestic and international economic uncertainties.

Kwon Young-se, who was nominated as the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 26th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

In his inaugural speech, Chairman Kwon said, "I deeply apologize to the people for causing anxiety and concern due to the emergency martial law and the presidential impeachment, as the chairman of the ruling party responsible for state affairs," adding, "I will not stop urging change and innovation," and "I will reflect deeply, listen more closely to the voices of the people, and come closer to them." He continued, "I believe that if we all unite and work together, we can surely overcome the challenges before us."

He stated, "As the global complex crisis continues and the new U.S. administration is about to take office, the international situation is so unpredictable that we cannot foresee even an inch ahead," and "With prolonged domestic sluggishness, difficulties faced by companies, small business owners, and self-employed individuals remain unresolved. We must quickly stabilize the chaos and unite our efforts to prevent political crises from turning into economic and security crises."

Chairman Kwon proposed to the opposition party to stop political strife and focus on people’s livelihoods. He said, "The ruling-opposition-government consultative body was stranded without even starting due to the impeachment of Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo," and "Restoring politics is the most urgent task the National Assembly must undertake now. I propose to promptly restart the ruling-opposition-government consultative body."

He also appealed to the Democratic Party of Korea and its leader Lee Jae-myung, saying, "If you paralyze state affairs with serial impeachments, the damage will inevitably fall on the people. Please stop the legislative outrage."

The following is the full text of Chairman Kwon Young-se’s inaugural speech as Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party.

Respected citizens, I am Kwon Young-se, who will take on the role of Emergency Response Committee Chairman starting today.

First, I would like to express my deepest condolences to those who tragically lost their lives in the Jeju Air passenger plane crash.

I extend my sincere sympathies to those who lost beloved family and friends, and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.

The People Power Party will work closely with the government to do our utmost for swift accident response and victim support.

Dear citizens and fellow members of the People Power Party,

It is truly a heavy responsibility to take on this important role in such difficult times.

Above all, our people are struggling day by day, and it is deeply regrettable that our party, our National Assembly, and our politics are failing to fulfill their roles.

I deeply apologize to the people as the chairman of the ruling party responsible for state affairs for causing anxiety and concern due to the emergency martial law and the presidential impeachment.

Citizens, our people have overcome countless crises and hardships to build the proud Republic of Korea we have today.

I believe that if we all unite and work together, we can surely overcome the challenges before us.

The reality before us is indeed very difficult.

As the global complex crisis continues and the new U.S. administration is about to take office, the international situation is so unpredictable that we cannot foresee even an inch ahead.

With prolonged domestic sluggishness, difficulties faced by our companies, small business owners, and self-employed individuals remain unresolved.

We must quickly stabilize the chaos and unite our efforts to prevent political crises from turning into economic and security crises.

I trust our people and believe in the resilience of the Republic of Korea. The People Power Party will take the lead.

We will not stop urging change and innovation. We will reflect deeply, listen more closely to the voices of the people, and come closer to them.

I earnestly ask the people to trust our sincerity and join us.

I also have a request for the Democratic Party of Korea and its leader Lee Jae-myung.

It is time to let the judiciary do its job and for the National Assembly to fulfill its role.

If you paralyze state affairs with serial impeachments, the damage will inevitably fall on the people.

Not only our people but also the international community is worried about Korean politics.

I respectfully request you to stop the legislative outrage.

The country must survive for politics to exist.

The ruling-opposition-government consultative body was stranded without even starting due to the impeachment of Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

It is hard to even remember when the ruling and opposition parties last sat down to discuss people’s livelihoods.

I believe restoring politics is the most urgent task the National Assembly must undertake now.

I propose to promptly restart the ruling-opposition-government consultative body.

Through this consultative body, we must pool our strength and wisdom to address difficult people’s livelihoods, respond to urgent international situations, and stabilize the chaotic political situation.

I also have a request for fellow members of the People Power Party.

I am sorry to meet you all in such difficult circumstances that have brought our party to this state.

However, this very moment is when we all must gather strength once again.

Looking back at the history of the Republic of Korea, our party has always been one that gains strength in difficult times.

We rose again from the harsh winds at the tent party headquarters during the biting cold, overcame the harsh winds of impeachment eight years ago, rebuilt the party, and achieved regime restoration.

At this moment, we must believe in ourselves and hold each other’s hands more firmly.

If we firmly uphold the conservative values and identity we have painstakingly protected while seeking a new spirit for the era, we will surely open a new future.

Even if our thoughts differ slightly, we must all unite in the face of the current crisis.

Respected citizens,

Last weekend, seeing the crowd filling Gwanghwamun Square deeply pained my heart.

I will not forget the hearts of our people who came out into the cold weather.

I will devote all my energy to thinking and communicating intensely.

I will surely build a People Power Party that cares for the lives of the people and nurtures hope for tomorrow.

I ask for your warm support and encouragement.

Thank you.