Kim Yongtae, Who Proposed 'Reform Plan,' Says "Mentioning Procedure or Term Means No Willingness to Accept"

"Completing My Term Is Not Important... Lawmakers Must Respond to the Reform Plan"
Aimed at Dissenting Lawmakers: "If You Dismiss This as Personal Politics, the Party Cannot Move Forward"

Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, addressed party members who oppose his recently proposed party reform plan on June 10, stating, "If you keep raising procedural issues or talking about my term regarding my reform plan, it seems to indicate that you have no intention of accepting it."

After attending the ceremony commemorating the June 10 Democratic Uprising at the Memorial Hall for Democratization Movements in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Kim told reporters, "It is not important for me to complete my term," adding, "What matters is for many lawmakers at the general assembly to simply answer whether they will accept the reform plan I have proposed or not."

Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the members' meeting held at the National Assembly on June 9, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

He reiterated the purpose behind presenting the reform plan, describing it as "the minimum action necessary for the party to reflect on its past mistakes and regain the trust of the people." He further stressed, "If this is dismissed as personal politics or as an attempt to extend my term, the party will not be able to move forward."

Previously, on June 8, Kim held a press conference and announced a reform plan centered on invalidating the party's official stance against impeachment, conducting a party audit regarding the attempt to replace presidential candidate Kim Moonsoo, and implementing a 100% bottom-up nomination process for metropolitan and basic local government candidates. However, at the general assembly the following day, criticism arose, with some calling it a "reform plan for personal political gain."

Regarding the proposal for a party audit on the attempt to replace the presidential candidate, he explained, "This is not a measure to discipline anyone," and added, "I believed it was necessary to inform many party members and citizens of the facts of that day, and a party audit is the appropriate process."

Kim also addressed the internal backlash regarding the invalidation of the anti-impeachment party line, stating, "As the Emergency Response Committee Chairman, this is the minimum action for party unity," and added, "If the Constitutional Court has ruled in favor, then nullifying the previous anti-impeachment stance is the proper course for a party that respects liberal democracy and the spirit of the Constitution."

He further emphasized, "If a party convention is held, party members and officials will be divided over support or opposition to impeachment," and added, "This is an opportunity to lay the foundation for both those who supported and those who opposed impeachment to understand each other and move forward together."

Kim also addressed suspicions raised by some lawmakers about the "forces behind the reform plan." He said, "Many lawmakers in our party ask me, 'Who is behind this?' 'Did you consult with Han Donghoon? Is this Kim Moonsoo's intention?' Some even make absurd claims, such as 'Are you acting on the orders of Lee Junseok, former presidential candidate of the Reform New Party?'" He continued, "I am truly ashamed before the people."

He added, "After a crushing defeat in the presidential election, the party should come together to reflect and discuss how to pursue reform. If people only try to interpret the Emergency Response Committee Chairman's reform plan as having some political motive, the party has no future."

Regarding the timing of the party convention, he said, "I have previously mentioned early September," but also noted, "If there is consensus among party members, it could be held in August or even earlier." However, he added, "Even if the party convention is held, it must function as a means to implement the reform plan and restore internal party democracy in order for it to be a proper convention."