"No Real Interest in Innovation"
Criticism Also Directed at Party Leadership
On July 7, Representative Ahn Cheolsoo of the People Power Party abruptly resigned as chairman of the Innovation Committee and announced his candidacy for party leader, drawing sharp criticism from within the party.
Kim Daesik, a member of the party's Emergency Response Committee, urged on social media that "if you are truly concerned about party reform, instead of withdrawing even from the Innovation Committee, I hope you will endure criticism from the public and party members to the end and see the path of innovation through."
Kim further pointed out, "This 'cramming politics'?accepting the Innovation Committee chairmanship and then resigning and declaring a run for party leader within just five days?undermines the sincerity of innovation." He added, "The public will find it hard to accept your decision to 'put down the scalpel' and leave the operating room as a true act of innovation."
Representative Park Junghoon also criticized Ahn, calling it "irresponsible politics." Park stated, "Before accepting the Innovation Committee chairmanship, he should have first received a clear commitment from Emergency Response Committee Chairman Song Eonseok regarding a personnel overhaul." He continued, "After enjoying the spotlight from being appointed Innovation Committee chairman, who will believe his sincerity now if he claims he is quitting because the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) faction refused a personnel shake-up and is running for party leader?"
There was also criticism directed at the party leadership. Former lawmaker Lee Jaeyoung claimed that the Emergency Response Committee intentionally excluded himself and former committee member Park Eunsik during the formation of the Innovation Committee. Lee wrote on Facebook, "Park and I belong to Cheotmokhoe, which has consistently called for reform and renewal within the party," adding, "It is clear that only those of us who have most strongly criticized and demanded reform from the party were deliberately left out."
He asserted, "This shows there was never any real intention to genuinely reform the party through the Innovation Committee," and added, "They are just 'appealing for innovation' while focused solely on holding onto their positions, with no real interest in reform."
On this day, Ahn announced his resignation as Innovation Committee chairman and declared his candidacy for the party convention, which is expected to be held in mid-August. It has been reported that he and Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader Song Eonseok failed to narrow their differences regarding personnel reform and the composition of the Innovation Committee.
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