Aiming at President Lee: "The End of the Administration Is Already Clear"
"Will Incorporate Broader Reform Directions and Tasks"...Additional Reform Plans Announced
On June 27, Kim Yongtae, acting leader of the People Power Party's emergency committee, reiterated his request for President Lee Jaemyung to withdraw the nomination of Kim Minseok as Prime Minister, stating, "There are aspects in which President Lee Jaemyung lacks sincerity in his dialogue with the opposition."
Speaking to reporters during a general assembly at the National Assembly that day, Kim Yongtae revealed, "During a luncheon, I raised issues regarding the moral suspicions and qualifications surrounding the nominee, and the response I received was, 'Do you think nothing would come out if we scrutinized the young acting leader?'"
He also criticized a remark made by an attendee at the meeting between President Lee and the leaders of both ruling and opposition parties, which was held just before the supplementary budget address the previous day. The attendee reportedly said, "The opposition should also take into account that the government's approval rating exceeds 50%." Kim Yongtae questioned, "Is that really appropriate?"
Kim Yongtae added, "Of course, the President and the attendee may have intended it as a joke, but personally, I do not find it appropriate. The opposition and I, as acting leader, offered sincere advice from the perspective of the public, expressing hope for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration and urging them not to repeat the mistakes of our own previous government. However, I am disappointed by their attitude."
He continued, "If this attitude persists, the end of the Lee Jaemyung administration is already clear to see. The opposition will continue to offer healthy criticism to prevent such a mistake from occurring."
Kim Yongtae, whose term as acting leader ends on June 30, announced that he would present additional reform measures for the reconstruction of the conservative movement.
He stated, "Until last Wednesday, I traveled to various regions, meeting with many citizens, local government heads, and visiting sites related to people's livelihoods, where I received a lot of feedback. I will soon present a summary of additional reform plans for the party and a roadmap for the reconstruction of conservatism."
Regarding the ongoing discussion of party reform stalling due to continued factional conflicts, Kim Yongtae said, "It is regrettable that there is a significant disconnect between how the People Power Party is perceived outside the National Assembly and how it is perceived in Yeouido. I have heard repeatedly that we must engage in a thorough self-reflection and internal struggle within the party, even at this late stage."
On the divided opinions within the party regarding the five major reform proposals he suggested, Kim Yongtae admitted, "It is true that there are differences of opinion among various lawmakers." He continued, "The additional reform plans will incorporate the major directions and tasks for reform. As we prepare the path for the reconstruction of conservatism, I will clarify and present our party's conservative identity and the related discourse from a broader perspective."
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