[Reporter's Notebook] People Power Party's Serious Illness That Even Rejects Self-Treatment

"What really matters is whether there is a genuine will to innovate or not."

On July 7, the frustration in the voice of People Power Party lawmaker John Linton was palpable. The sudden resignation of Innovation Committee Chairman Ahn Cheolsoo has thrown the party into confusion. As a former Innovation Committee chair himself, Linton's feelings appeared complicated. He served as Innovation Committee chair two years ago.

At that time, Linton made a bold statement: "Everything must change except for your wife and children." He called on the party leadership and senior lawmakers to run in difficult constituencies. The party leadership refused to accept this proposal. As a result, Linton's Innovation Committee was dissolved after just over 50 days. Linton assessed that the party's situation has deteriorated even further compared to two years ago. "Innovation requires change and sacrifice, but everyone is only looking out for their own interests..."

The People Power Party has repeatedly turned to innovation committees during political crises, but more often than not, these efforts ended without results. This was the case with the "Ryu Seokchun Innovation Committee" formed during the Liberty Korea Party era after the 2017 impeachment of former President Park Geunhye, and with the "Kim Moonsu Innovation Committee" launched by the Saenuri Party after its crushing defeat in the 2014 by-elections. Neither was able to overcome the resistance of the mainstream faction.

This time, lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo put forward the "clearing out Kwon Youngse and Kwon Seongdong" card, targeting the previous leadership, but the party leadership rejected it. Is it unreasonable to see personnel reform targeting the pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) old mainstream as the starting point for party innovation? Looking back at their actions during key moments?such as the 12·3 Martial Law Declaration, the impeachment of the president, and the presidential election defeat?provides the answer. Who was in the People Power Party leadership during the late-night turmoil over the replacement of the presidential candidate?

"They used the hard-won energy for innovation as fuel for their own political ambitions" (lawmaker Kwon Seongdong), and "They disguised their pursuit of personal gain as reform, driving the party into internal strife with such despicable behavior" (lawmaker Kwon Youngse), both sharply criticizing Ahn. A current member of the party leadership recently argued that, regarding the party's approval rating falling into the 20% range, "When you lose a presidential election, it's normal for your approval rating to drop to half of your vote share." Another leader, commenting on the reality that the ruling party is driving the political agenda, said, "There's nothing the opposition can really do."

No one is taking responsibility, and a sense of political helplessness is spreading. This is why some are calling the situation a "total crisis." Will appointing a new Innovation Committee chair after Ahn solve the problem? What solution is there when self-treatment no longer works? Some even say it would be better for the party to be shaken to its core and start over from the bottom. The People Power Party must first recognize the reality that it is suffering from a serious illness. Only then will there be the will and action needed to excise the diseased parts.