Joo Jinwoo: "We Must Focus on Blocking Constitutional Amendments Over Personnel Reform... Party System Needs Youthful Renewal"

Joo Jinwoo Runs for People Power Party Leadership
"107 Seats Reflect the Public's Will to Maintain the Constitutional Amendment Blocking Line"
"Drastic Personnel Reform Is Unrealistic... The System Must Be Fixed"

Joo Jinwoo, a lawmaker running for the leadership of the People Power Party, commented on the party's personnel reform, saying, "In the last general election, the People Power Party did poorly, which led the public to make us a minority opposition party. However, there is also significance in the fact that we managed to maintain the threshold to block constitutional amendments." He continued, "With only 107 seats, if we push for drastic personnel reform just to meet public expectations, it will eventually lead to a party split and the collapse of the constitutional amendment blocking line." In an interview with YTN Radio's "Shin Yul's News Frontline" on the 28th, Joo argued, "Reform is good, but we must engage in a thorough debate about maintaining the constitutional amendment blocking line."

Representative Joo Jinwoo, who declared his candidacy for the leader of the People Power Party, is giving an interview to Asia Economy at the National Assembly on the 28th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Joo stated, "The opposition party must at least retain its ability to provide checks and propose alternatives. Allowing everything to flow toward a single-party dominance is not desirable from the public's perspective." He added, "Reflecting on this meaning, because drastic personnel reform is unrealistic, I am advocating for a reform of the party's system."

Regarding another leadership candidate, Cho Kyungtae, who said that "innovation candidates should unite," Joo said, "Cho argues that 'over forty members should be expelled from the party for the sake of reform, and that would actually be better,' but I find it impossible to agree with such thinking." He continued, "Ultimately, reform or innovation should not be the goal itself. Rather, the party should establish a proper system and, as it receives salaries from the public, fulfill the functions of an opposition party."

He further stated, "As an opposition party, we must point out the ruling party's problems, propose better alternatives, and maintain a mutual balance." He added, "If the position is that 'the number of lawmakers does not matter,' then unification under such circumstances is meaningless."

Regarding the ongoing controversy within the party following the admission of Korean history lecturer Jeon Hangil, Joo said, "It was fine when Mr. Jeon was active as an ordinary citizen, but now, whenever he acts or speaks, it immediately becomes news." He continued, "I believe he has now reached the ranks of politicians." He assessed, "As he makes political statements and the question arises whether he will ally with certain political forces, I judge that this does not significantly help expand our party's appeal." He added, "He is having a negative political impact on the party. If the party leadership had known in advance about his admission, I think they would have been extremely cautious in approving it."

Joo Jinwoo, a member of the People Power Party, is declaring his candidacy for the party leadership at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 24th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Earlier, on the 28th, Joo pledged on social media to revise the party constitution and regulations for systemic reform, stating, "I will make voting mandatory in party general meetings to break up factional and clique politics." He said, "It is unacceptable for senior lawmakers to decide the outcome in advance, for only a few lawmakers to speak, and then for the decision to be rubber-stamped with applause. We will make decisions by vote. I will ensure that first- and second-term lawmakers are not silenced by the atmosphere."

He continued, "For important matters, we will implement roll-call voting to realize responsible politics. For impeachment bills, major party policy bills, and reform proposals, we will conduct roll-call votes so that the public and party members know which lawmakers supported or opposed them." He added, "There will be no more general meetings where we just fight without reaching a conclusion. Everyone will make decisions in their own name."

He also emphasized, "We will allow a certain proportion (30%) of non-parliamentary committee chairs, aides, and party officials to participate in the general meeting, granting them the right to speak and vote, thereby expanding the structure to a more horizontal decision-making process." He stressed, "This will ensure that opinions from the field, which are more closely connected to people's livelihoods, are conveyed without distortion. We will reform the party's system to be younger and stronger."