"Reforms Pushed by a Particular Faction Lead to Conflict and Division"
"Reforms to Prepare for the Future Are Urgently Needed"
While Kim Yongtae, the Emergency Response Committee Chair, is sticking to the five major reform proposals, Na Kyungwon, a member of the People Power Party, criticized, "Individuals or a small group without democratic legitimacy have distorted the party's democratic order and electoral system."
On June 18, Na wrote on her Facebook account, "I am well aware of the deep concerns of party members and the public regarding the current situation of the People Power Party." She added, "Under the name of the Emergency Response Committee, we have sometimes shaken the very foundation of the party by overstepping its original role and function."
She stated, "Reform is certainly necessary, but what matters more than the speed of reform is its direction, its agents, and its procedures," emphasizing that the agents of reform must secure democratic legitimacy.
Na argued that power without democratic legitimacy, or reforms pushed through by a particular faction, would only lead to further conflict and division, asserting that reform should not be monopolized by anyone. She also insisted that the People Power Party's reforms should be responsibly carried out by a leadership with democratic legitimacy, elected through an early party convention that reflects both party members' and the public's opinions. She stressed that an early party convention is not an option but a necessity for prompt and legitimate reform.
Na said, "Thorough reflection and introspection on the past are, of course, necessary," adding, "In particular, we must offer a sincere apology regarding martial law, and this should continue until the public says it is enough." She continued, "Constantly digging up and stirring the past in the name of reform is no different from an act of betrayal," and emphasized, "The reform we should pursue must be one that prepares for the future."
These remarks appear to criticize Chair Kim for sticking to the five major reform proposals, which include withdrawing the party's official stance against the impeachment of former President Yoon Sukyeol, and conducting a party audit regarding the replacement of the People Power Party's presidential candidate by former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo.
On the same day, Chair Kim told reporters at the National Assembly, "I respect the floor leader's opinion, but as long as I am the Emergency Response Committee Chair, it is important to gather the will for reform through a party member survey." This was in response to Floor Leader Song Eonseok's position that the party's innovation committee should be formed to discuss the five major reform proposals, including the nullification of the anti-impeachment stance and the party member survey, for which Kim repeatedly insisted the survey should take precedence.
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