"Concerns Grow Over Potential Perception of Internal Conflict and Political Strife"
Kim Yongtae: "Regretful That Discussion on Reform Proposal Is Being Blocked"
The People Power Party canceled its scheduled general assembly of lawmakers on the afternoon of June 11. This decision was made out of concern that internal conflict could overshadow the need to intensify its offensive against the ruling party. Kim Yongtae, the emergency committee chair who had planned to continue persuading lawmakers on the party's reform proposal at the assembly, immediately protested and demanded that the meeting be held as planned.
Park Hyungsoo, the People Power Party's senior deputy floor leader, announced at the National Assembly that "the general assembly of lawmakers, which was scheduled for 2 p.m. today, has been canceled due to various circumstances."
Park explained, "We called the assembly to address the fact that the judiciary yielded to the Democratic Party's oppressive threats and suspended the trial in front of the Seoul High Court today. Media coverage and public attention should be focused on this issue." He also expressed concern, stating, "If lawmakers continue to exchange opinions on unresolved matters, it could easily be perceived as ongoing conflict or political strife."
Kwon Seongdong, the floor leader, also notified lawmakers that "today's general assembly has been inevitably canceled, considering that the party already held a protest rally this morning in response to President Lee Jaemyung's trial postponement. It is necessary to focus the party's capabilities and messaging on this issue."
The party believes that discussions on the reform proposal should be continued by the new leadership, which will be elected on June 16. Park Hyungsoo stated, "The agenda currently being discussed at the assembly cannot be resolved quickly through a vote," and added, "It is not meaningful for the outgoing floor leadership to continue these discussions."
When asked whether the assembly was canceled because it was difficult to reach a conclusion regarding Kim Yongtae's position, Park replied, "Many lawmakers have expressed their opinions, but this is not something that can be forced through a vote. Kim Yongtae's term is set to end on the 30th, and unless he decides to step down himself, he will remain until then, so there is little point in discussing this further."
Kim Yongtae immediately protested. He expressed regret that the floor leadership canceled the assembly without prior consultation. He said, "A significant number of second-term lawmakers have expressed support for the reform proposal, and more lawmakers want change. It is unfortunate that the assembly was canceled and that the issue is being deferred to the next leadership."
On social media, Kim Yongtae also wrote, "It is truly regrettable that the current party leadership is blocking discussion of the reform proposal even at the general assembly. I request that assemblies be held for each reform agenda, including the timing of the party convention and the nullification of the party's official stance against impeachment."
Kim Sohee, another lawmaker, also emphasized on social media that "the general assembly is not a venue to showcase internal conflict, but a time for collective intelligence to be exercised for reform. It is absolutely necessary to gather lawmakers' opinions on the emergency committee chair's reform proposal at today's assembly."
In response, Park Hyungsoo commented, "It is not possible to make decisions after consulting every single lawmaker," and added, "The decision to cancel the assembly is made by the floor leadership."
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