Meeting Postponed Due to Lawmakers' Request for Direct Explanation
Lack of Prior Sharing of Reform Proposals Also Pointed Out
Conflicting Explanations Over Request for Reform Committee Chair's Attendance
The People Power Party held a members' meeting to discuss the 'Yoon Heesook Reform Proposal,' but the meeting ended in less than an hour. There were also differing explanations regarding the request for attendance by Yoon Heesook, Chair of the Reform Committee.
On the 23rd, after the meeting, Kwak Gyutaek, Chief Spokesperson of the People Power Party, told reporters, "We discussed the reform proposals of the Reform Committee, and many lawmakers said that the Chair of the Reform Committee should attend the meeting in person to explain the proposals and the reasons why they are necessary, so that a proper discussion among lawmakers can take place. Therefore, at the next members' meeting, we will listen to such an explanation and arrange another opportunity to discuss and share opinions on the reform proposals."
Previously, Chair Yoon and the Reform Committee proposed three reform measures: including a 'public apology to the nation' in the party constitution and regulations regarding martial law and impeachment; changing the method of selecting Supreme Council members; and strengthening the party member recall system. As a result, it was expected that the reform proposals would be the main agenda at the meeting that day.
Song Eonseok, Emergency Response Committee Chairman and Floor Leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the members' meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 23rd. Photo by Yonhap News
Regarding Chair Yoon's absence from the meeting, Chief Spokesperson Kwak said, "We informed her that the meeting was taking place today, but as far as I know, she did not respond regarding her attendance." However, this differed from Chair Yoon's explanation. In an interview with SBS Radio that day, Chair Yoon said, "I heard that the reform proposals would be discussed at the meeting," but added, "It seems that a decision has not yet been made on whether I will be called." Regarding whether Chair Yoon was requested to attend, Chief Spokesperson Kwak said, "It seems there is a discrepancy," and explained, "The person who tried to contact her spoke directly."
Park Sunghoon, Senior Spokesperson for the People Power Party's parliamentary group, commented on the meeting, saying, "Some lawmakers raised concerns that the Chair of the Reform Committee announced the proposals externally without sufficient gathering of opinions within the party." Park also said, "There was concern among some lawmakers that, since the reform proposals were not shared in advance, there could be public backlash from some members," and added, "The reform proposals submitted by Chair Yoon are not finalized, but are intended as a discussion paper to trigger internal reform debates, and should be used as a catalyst for party reform (this was discussed at the meeting)."
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