15 Second-Term People Power Party Lawmakers Call to Extend Kim Yongtae's Term Until Party Convention at End of August

"We Must Reform the Party with a Normal Leadership System"
"No One Is Better Suited Than Kim Yongtae as the Reform Emergency Committee Chairman"

Some second-term lawmakers of the People Power Party reached a consensus on June 10 to extend the term of Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae until a new leadership is formed.

The second-term lawmakers of the People Power Party, who are calling for party reform, held a luncheon meeting at the National Assembly on this day to discuss Chairman Kim's proposed reform plan and future leadership formation. After the meeting, Rep. Kwon Youngjin announced the agreement reached by himself and 14 other lawmakers: Kang Minkook, Kim Mi-ae, Kim Seungsoo, Kim Yeji, Park Sooyoung, Park Jungha, Bae Hyunjin, Seo Beomsoo, Seo Iljun, Um Taeyoung, Lee Sungkwon, Cho Eunhee, Cho Junghoon, and Choi Hyungdoo.

Rep. Kwon Sungdong, floor leader of the People Power Party who declared his resignation from the floor leader position, and other lawmakers are listening to the remarks of Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae at the party caucus meeting held at the National Assembly on June 9, 2025. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Rep. Kwon began by saying, "This is the position of the second-term lawmakers who are seeking party innovation. More lawmakers are expected to agree in the future."

According to Rep. Kwon, the 15 second-term lawmakers of the People Power Party agreed that a party convention should be held by the end of August at the latest to establish a normal leadership system and push for party reform.

They also agreed to extend Chairman Kim's term until a new leadership is formed through the party convention. They requested that the composition of the Emergency Committee be decided in consultation with the new floor leader.

Regarding the process of reaching an agreement to extend Chairman Kim's term, despite differences at the previous day's party caucus, Rep. Kwon explained, "We agree with Chairman Kim's reform proposal," and added, "We believe there is no one better suited than Chairman Kim to lead the Emergency Committee as a reformer."

Finally, Rep. Kwon stated, "We sympathize with the intent and spirit of Chairman Kim's proposed reform plan," and requested, "We ask that concrete implementation measures be prepared through initiatives such as the 'Listening Tour to Hear Public Opinion.'"

Regarding the 'Listening Tour to Hear Public Opinion,' Rep. Kim Mi-ae explained, "The purpose is to listen to a wide range of public opinions by class and region regarding the causes of our party's crushing defeat." She added, "We want to create opportunities to go out and listen directly. If people criticize us, we should accept it as it is. Now is the time for such an honest dialogue."

Rep. Cho Eunhee stated, "The second-term lawmakers who reached this conclusion today are neither pro-Han nor pro-Yoon," and added, "We held this meeting to clearly express that we are not divided into pro-Han or pro-Yoon factions, contrary to some media reports."