"Swift Preparation for Party Convention...
Vowing to Lead Change and Reform"
Song Eonseok, a three-term lawmaker from the TK (Daegu and North Gyeongsang) region representing Gimcheon, North Gyeongsang Province, has been elected as the new floor leader of the People Power Party. His top priorities are expected to be mending internal party conflicts, preparing for the election of the next party leadership, and intensifying the party's opposition against the dominant ruling party.
On June 16, the People Power Party announced that Song had received 60 out of 106 total votes in the election for floor leader. Lee Heonseung, a four-term lawmaker representing Busanjingu-eul in Busan, received 16 votes, while Kim Seongwon, a three-term lawmaker representing Dongducheon, Yangju, and Yeoncheon-eul in Gyeonggi Province, garnered 30 votes.
Although Song is considered to have relatively weak factional ties, he is generally classified as part of the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) camp. It is analyzed that, in this election as well, he received support from the pro-Yoon camp and other mainstream forces within the party.
Immediately after his election, Song stated, "As the floor leader of a minority opposition party, there will inevitably be limitations to my role and function, but I will lead change and reform," adding, "I will move forward focusing solely on the future and the people."
With the launch of the Lee Jaemyung administration, Song now faces formidable challenges as the new floor leader of the main opposition party. Since he was elected amid intense turmoil over the reform proposals of Emergency Committee Chair Kim Yongtae, his first task is to resolve internal conflicts. He must also address the issue of Kim's tenure, which is set to end at the end of June. On this matter, Song stated, "If it becomes necessary for the Emergency Committee Chair to extend his term, I will discuss it with the National Committee Chair and make a decision," leaving the possibility open.
He must also lead the party's reform efforts. Rather than continuing with the five major reform proposals put forward by Kim, Song believes that a new Reform Committee, to be established in the future, should discuss the direction of reform. Regarding the five reform proposals, Song said, "If we conduct a party member survey, I will examine whether there are any further issues of division or conflict," adding, "Considering the differing views of various lawmakers, I think these matters should be discussed within the Reform Committee."
To this end, he stressed the need to form a Reform Committee for party renewal and to hold a National Listening Session for lawmakers to hear voices from outside the party. Song said, "I will create a forum to gather the collective will of our lawmakers for reform and change," and emphasized, "By adhering to principles of balanced and merit-based appointments, I will ensure that the party's capabilities are fully mobilized, and I will also improve communication structures to regain the trust of voters in the Seoul metropolitan area."
He also plans to promptly prepare for a party convention to establish the next leadership system. He explained that for stable party leadership, a leadership team directly elected by party members and the public should be launched as soon as possible.
There are also growing calls to intensify resistance against the legislative drive of the dominant ruling party. The party needs to respond to the Commercial Act amendment, which the Democratic Party is pushing as its top priority among livelihood bills. As a former Vice Minister of Economy and Finance and a leading expert in economic and fiscal affairs within the party, Song's role will be crucial. Song stated, "If shareholders are included in the directors' duty of loyalty, there is a risk that breach of trust could become a constant issue," adding, "I will discuss with Kim Byungki, the Democratic Party's floor leader, whether such changes are desirable for the people and the country."
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