"President Prohibited from Intervening in Party Affairs"... People Power Party Declares Separation from Yoon's Influence

Party Constitution Amended to Ban Factions and Decentralize Power
Party-Government Separation Initiated After Impeachment Crisis
Special Committee on Lee Jaemyung and Reinstatement of Seo Cheongwon Also Approved

The People Power Party on May 27 approved an amendment to its party constitution that prohibits presidential intervention in party affairs and bans factional politics. This move is interpreted as an effort to normalize party-government relations following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Yonhap News Agency

At an emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly that afternoon, the party decided to add a new clause to Article 8 of its constitution stating, "The president is prohibited from intervening in major party affairs such as nominations and personnel appointments," thereby establishing a 'party-president separation' provision. The intention is to clearly distinguish the roles of the presidential office and the party to prevent the concentration of power.

Additionally, a 'ban on factions' clause was included, stipulating that "acts that undermine intra-party democracy and fair competition by centering on specific individuals or groups, including the president, will not be tolerated." The amendment also reflects a revision of the term 'Cheong Wa Dae' to 'Presidential Office' in the party's platform and policies.

Alongside this, the emergency committee also approved the establishment of the 'Turtle Island Corruption Special Committee' to investigate allegations related to Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party's presidential candidate, during his tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province. This special committee will investigate possible irregularities in the process of creating the artificial surfing park 'Wave Park' in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province.

Meanwhile, the committee also processed the reinstatement of Seo Cheongwon, a former eight-term lawmaker and past leader of the Grand National Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party). Seo, who was known as a key figure among the pro-Park faction, left the party after the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye and ran in the 2020 general election as a proportional representative for the Our Republican Party. The People Power Party is currently pursuing a 'big tent' strategy by opening the door for the return of former members who had left the party during the recent presidential election period.