Jung Okim: "People Power Party, with Song Eonseok’s Majority Election, Is Like a Dinosaur on the Verge of Extinction"

Jung Okim Criticizes People Power Party
"Shadow of Pro-Yoon Sentiment Runs Deep"
"Lawmakers Only Care About Their Own Reelection"

As Song Eonseok, the newly appointed floor leader of the People Power Party, called for “thorough self-reflection and renewal” within the party, former lawmaker Jung Okim criticized the party, comparing it to “a dinosaur on the verge of extinction in the Ice Age.” In an interview on CBS Radio’s “Park Jaehong’s One-Pan Show” on the 17th, Jung argued, “The shadow of pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) sentiment is deeply ingrained in the People Power Party.”

Song Eonseok, floor leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Jung further stated, “Seeing Song being elected as floor leader with a majority without even a runoff vote, I think it will be difficult for the People Power Party to change. I am also concerned that the party will not change until at least next year’s local elections or even the general elections after that. I wonder whether the current lawmakers are truly aware of the need for change and the sense of crisis, or if their own reelection is all that matters to them.” She continued, “The new floor leader is talking about self-reflection and renewal, but what matters is not the usual rhetoric but actually putting it into action. However, I do not think such action will happen lightly or quickly. There is inertia at play.”

She added, “I am beginning to think that, unless it is their own crisis, there is little motivation for change in this field. Moreover, as a politician with a bureaucratic background, I do not think Song will be able to create any dramatic reversal or situation that would draw public attention to the People Power Party.”

Earlier this year, Song visited the official residence in Hannam-dong during the arrest phase of former President Yoon Sukyeol, and later participated in a relay protest in front of the Constitutional Court during the impeachment proceedings, which has led to his classification as pro-Yoon. Upon his election as floor leader on the 16th, Song stated, “We need change and renewal. Regressive actions that take us back to the past are a grave mistake; we must only look to the future. I believe we must always consider what path the nation should take for the people.” He also proposed the formation of an innovation committee to renew the party, saying, “Even as a minority opposition party, we must transform ourselves into a policy-oriented party armed with competence and expertise to protect the nation and the people from the dictatorship and abuses of Lee Jaemyung.”

However, it remains uncertain whether Song will accept the five major reform proposals put forward by interim leader Kim Yongtae. On the 17th, Kim stated, “I respect the floor leader’s intention to pursue innovation through the innovation committee,” but added, “It is right for the next leadership to address this after my own position is decided.” He continued, “I believe it is important for the next leadership to secure momentum for reform by gathering the collective will for reform through a party member poll. The party member poll is a barometer for gauging the will and thoughts of party members regarding the reform proposals, which is why I suggested it. The party member poll is the starting point for protecting a liberal democratic party within the system of party member democracy and liberal democracy, and I believe there is no justification for rejecting it.”