People Power Party Reform Committee in Turmoil... "Rejecting Unilateral Reform Committee"

People Power Party Reform Committee Finalized with Choi Hyungdoo, Ho Junseok, and Others
Ahn: "I Feel Deep Self-Reproach"... Announces Bid for Party Leader

Following its defeat in the June 3 presidential election, the People Power Party sought to turn the tide by launching a reform committee to address the party's crisis. However, discord has persisted from the very beginning.

Representative Ahn Cheolsoo, who had been tasked with leading the reform efforts, resigned as chair of the reform committee on July 7 and shifted his focus to running for party leader. As soon as the People Power Party approved the formation plan for the reform committee that day, Ahn announced his intention to step down, calling it an "unilateral decision made without consensus."

Yonhap News

Representative Ahn had outlined plans for the reform committee, including the "removal of pro-Yoon figures," but failed to narrow differences with the party leadership, ultimately deciding to resign as chair. Ahn stated, "Watching those who refuse to sign the consent form for surgery on a patient whose life is in danger, I felt not just despair but a deep sense of self-reproach."

Earlier that morning, Park Sunghoon, the People Power Party's floor spokesperson, told reporters at the National Assembly after a meeting of the emergency leadership committee that five people had been nominated as members of the reform committee: Representative Choi Hyungdoo, party spokesperson Ho Junseok, Yeouido Institute deputy director Lee Jaeseong, Seoul city council member Song Kyungtaek, and former education ministry policy aide Kim Hyoeun. Park added, "The remaining member will be recommended as soon as possible."

While Park claimed that the reform committee had been formed in line with Ahn's proposals, Ahn's account of the situation differed. The People Power Party, which had sought to stabilize the party under the leadership of Song Eonseok, now appears likely to face further turmoil in the wake of the reform committee chair's resignation.