Innovation Committee Discussions Stalled
All Eyes Turn to August Party Convention
Kim Yongtae, the interim leader of the People Power Party, who is set to finish his term on June 30, has completed a five-day tour to gauge public sentiment. Although he expressed his determination to ignite a spark for party reform by traveling across the country, the response within the party remains cold. As momentum for reform wanes, both internal and external attention is already shifting toward the party convention scheduled for August.
According to political sources on June 26, Kim wrapped up his regional visits, which began over the past weekend. Starting in Jeju, he traveled to Incheon, Gangwon, Ulsan, and the Chungcheong region, listening to public opinion on party reform. On June 21, he reportedly met with former lawmaker Yoo Seungmin to discuss possible reform measures for the party.
Within the party, however, there is a sense of detachment and observation from a distance. Not only are the old guard, who are negative toward Kim's reform proposals such as nullifying the party’s anti-impeachment stance, expressing skepticism, but even the pro-reform faction is voicing doubts. On SBS Radio’s “Kim Taehyun’s Political Show” on this day, People Power Party lawmaker Jung Sunguk said, “The interim committee is not really functioning, and there are only a few days left in the term,” adding, “While it is good to travel the country and reflect on party reform, it is not effective.”
There are still views that see Kim’s activities as “personal politics.” Some interpret his moves as preparations to run for party leader at the August convention. In response, Kim stated, “If the party has no intention of delaying or refusing to change regarding reform, I have no intention of running in the convention,” drawing a line. Nevertheless, the possibility of his candidacy continues to be discussed.
Meanwhile, the Party Innovation Committee, which floor leader Song Eonseok pledged to establish, has yet to be launched and remains at a standstill. For the Innovation Committee to be established as an official party body, a resolution by the interim committee is required. However, with all interim committee members except for Kim having resigned, such a resolution is currently impossible. The selection of an Innovation Committee chair is also facing difficulties. Although a proposal was made to form the committee regardless of faction, it has failed to gain support. One lawmaker close to the pro-Han faction pointed out, “Including a few from the pro-Han faction in the Innovation Committee is merely for appearances,” adding, “Under the control of the leadership, the Innovation Committee is bound to have inherent limitations.”
Ultimately, there is a widespread expectation that discussions on reform will be postponed until after the August party convention. Once Kim’s term ends, there is talk that floor leader Song may serve concurrently as interim leader and launch the Innovation Committee, but there is little anticipation for significant change. Song is unlikely to pursue bold reforms, as he opposed both the withdrawal of the anti-impeachment party stance and the party audit among Kim’s proposals. Even if a new interim committee is formed, it is expected to remain a management body focused on preparing for the party convention, with greater emphasis placed on restructuring party operations. An opposition party official commented, “With the party shifting to a confrontational stance against the ruling party, it has become difficult to even talk about reform,” adding, “Only after seeing the results of next year’s local elections will calls for reform gain momentum.”
There are also concerns that, given the many pending issues, discussions on reform will be pushed down the list of priorities. At a general meeting of lawmakers on this day, floor leader Song urged, “We must be armed with a completely different passion and determination from our days as the ruling party, and unite with the people to stop the Democratic Party’s runaway behavior,” calling on lawmakers to actively prepare for legislative battles and public opinion campaigns.
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