Kim Jonghyuk Criticizes People Power Party Emergency Committee: "All Staunch Pro-Yoon... Party Has Reverted to 'Yoon Again'"

People Power Party Appoints Secretary General and Policy Committee Chair
Kim Jonghyuk: "All Emergency Response Committee Members Are Pro-Yoon"
"Ahn Cheolsoo’s Innovation Committee Will Face Deep Frustration"

The Emergency Response Committee of the People Power Party has been formed mainly around pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) figures, leading to skepticism about the possibility of reform. On July 3, former People Power Party Supreme Council member Kim Jonghyuk said in an interview with YTN Radio's 'Shin Yul's News Jeongmyeonseungbu,' "It seems like the People Power Party has simply reverted to being the 'Yoon Again' party. All the Emergency Response Committee members were appointed from the pro-Yoon camp," adding, "Song Eonseok, the floor leader, is also serving as the Emergency Response Committee chairman, and both Secretary General Jeong Jeomsik and Policy Committee Chairman Kim Jeongjae are also staunch pro-Yoon figures."

Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Kim went on to say, "Representative Ahn Cheolsoo, who was appointed as chairman of the People Power Party Innovation Committee, said, 'Medically, the party is in a coma. I will perform surgery on it and squeeze out all the boils and pus.' That diagnosis is correct," but he also pointed out, "However, he doesn't actually have a scalpel in his hand. How can you perform surgery without a scalpel? No matter how impressive the innovation plan is, if the party leadership does not have the will to implement it, it is meaningless."

He continued, "I have also served on an innovation committee, but in the end, it amounted to nothing more than paperwork. It will not be easy for Ahn Cheolsoo's brand of innovation to succeed," adding, "If Representative Ahn feels he is nothing more than a powerless figurehead, there is a possibility he could step down." He further stated, "As long as the pro-Yoon faction does not relinquish its vested interests, there can be no change or reform in this party, which has become like 'Jungjinuihim' (a play on words meaning 'party of senior lawmakers'). If that happens, Representative Ahn will likely feel a deep sense of frustration."

Regarding the party convention scheduled for August, Kim said, "It looks like the leadership election will be a mere formality and things will proceed according to a predetermined script. Although they say they will not adopt a collective leadership system, I expect it will take a similar form," predicting that the leadership will be dominated by pro-Yoon figures.

On next year's local elections, he commented, "What struck me about their way of thinking and their assessment of the political situation is that they say, 'The Democratic Party has already taken the National Assembly and the presidency, so the people will not vote for the Democratic Party again in the local elections.' They believe that the public's desire for checks and balances will allow them to win, but is that really a reasonable argument?" He criticized, "If they continue with such unscientific and superstitious thinking, just waiting under a persimmon tree with their mouths open, how can they expect to succeed? If they approach the election with that mindset, the outcome is obvious."

Regarding the possibility of former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo forming a new party, Kim stated, "Ultimately, leadership is crucial for a political party because what matters is whether that person can seize power next. While Mayor Hong can play a critical and aggressive role, it will be difficult for people to rally around him as their central figure."

Commenting on President Lee Jaemyung's press conference marking his 30th day in office, Kim said, "He held a press conference just 30 days after taking office, without even going through a transition committee, which signals a high level of confidence in state affairs," adding, "In political science terms, he is shrewd; I got the impression that he is running the government cleverly and astutely." When the host remarked, "The Moon Jaein administration focused on visual effects, while the Yoon Sukyeol administration was authoritarian, but President Lee has shown a modest and soft image, with a strength in administration," Kim replied, "I agree."