Bae Hyeonjin: "People Power Party's House Has Burned Down... New Faces Needed for Rationality and Common Sense"

Bae Hyeonjin Voices Public Support for Kim Yongtae's Reform Proposals
On General Meeting Cancellation: "Seems to Reflect Pro-Yoon Intentions"
"Kim Moonsoo as Party Leader? The People Have Already Decided"

Amid the sudden cancellation of a previously announced general meeting of lawmakers on June 11, which was scheduled to discuss the future of Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Yongtae and reform proposals, Hyeonjin Bae, a member of the People Power Party, voiced strong criticism, stating, "The entire house has burned down," and emphasized, "Now, we must focus solely on how to rebuild from the ashes." In an interview on CBS Radio's "Park Jaehong's Hanpan Seungbu" that day, Bae said, "I thought the cancellation of the general meeting was something that had been discussed," and added, "Kwon Seongdong, who has expressed his intention to resign as floor leader, keeps exercising his authority and is still acting as if he is the floor leader."

Hyunjin Bae, member of the People Power Party

Earlier that day, Kwon, in a notice to lawmakers regarding the cancellation of the general meeting, stated, "This morning, the party held a rally condemning the postponement of President Lee Jaemyung's trial," and explained, "Given the need to focus the party's efforts on its message, I had no choice but to cancel the meeting." He further said, "Continuing with the general meeting could risk creating an appearance of internal conflict and division within the party," and added, "This decision reflects a comprehensive consideration of the fact that the current floor leadership's term ends this week and that sufficient discussion and coordination on major issues are needed."

However, Kim Yongtae reportedly told reporters that "there was no prior notice about the cancellation, and I am very disappointed to have been informed only by a text message." He added, "I do not understand why it is being postponed. Even yesterday, a significant number of re-elected lawmakers expressed their support for the reform proposals," and pointed out, "It is regrettable that the general meeting was canceled and that the discussion is being pushed to the next leadership team."

Kim Yongtae, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Kwon Seongdong, the floor leader who declared his resignation, are attending and greeting at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Bae and 16 other first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party have publicly supported Kim Yongtae's reform proposals. Regarding this, Bae said, "During the closed-door discussion, many lawmakers?neither from the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) nor pro-Han (pro-Han Donghoon) factions?said that Kim's reform proposals are necessary for us from a common-sense perspective." She continued, "Perhaps that was burdensome for some. I suspect there was an intention from someone who did not want such voices to become prominent within the party." When the host asked, "Is it those referred to as the pro-Yoon faction?" Bae replied, "Unfortunately, yes."

Regarding the future party leadership structure, Bae said, "The Emergency Response Committee is, as the name suggests, a temporary body, but (the People Power Party) has a habit of repeatedly shifting to emergency committees," and added, "I hope we can hold a national convention." She emphasized, "We need a party where a legitimate leader and others work together, so we can quickly restore lost trust. Whether it becomes a two-way race between Kim Moonsoo and Han Donghoon or a three-way race, it does not matter. Right now, the whole house has burned down."

However, regarding former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo's potential bid for party leader, Bae said, "In the recent election, the people have already decided that Kim Moonsoo is not the answer," and added, "Now, we need to leave the old ways in the past and bring in new faces who can build a party that aligns with the rationality and common sense the people expect."

Meanwhile, Kwon Seongdong will hold a press conference at the National Assembly on June 12 to announce his resignation as floor leader. The People Power Party will elect a new floor leader on June 16. Depending on the composition of the newly formed floor leadership, discussions about Kim Yongtae's future and the structure of the party leadership are expected to resume.