Chairperson Kim Yong-tae of the People Power Party said on the 17th, "I believe that innovation should be addressed by the next leadership once my position is determined." He has previously stated that he would immediately resign from his position as chairperson if a party member opinion poll on the five major reform proposals he suggested is conducted. This reflects his strong determination to carry out the "party member opinion poll."
On the same day, Chairperson Kim met with reporters after attending a discussion on the issues with the bill to abolish the prosecution at the National Assembly, stating, "I respect the willingness of the floor leader to change parties," and added, "However, I believe that innovation should be addressed by the next leadership, whether it's a caretaker system or a new emergency committee, once my position is determined."
He reiterated his position of conducting a party member opinion poll on the five major reform proposals. Chairperson Kim emphasized, "I believe there is no justification to refuse a party member opinion poll. There are differing opinions among many lawmakers regarding the reform proposals, and it is true that positive and negative opinions coexist," adding that "asking party members for their opinions on the reform proposals is an important starting point for party member democracy."
He also added, "If the opinion poll shows that the reform proposals are not desired, the party will naturally have plans to amend or withdraw the proposals."
He stated, "My remaining task is to use the party member opinion poll as momentum for reform and connect it to the next leadership," emphasizing that conducting the "party member opinion poll" must be prioritized.
However, he noted, "I do not believe that the party member opinion poll is a prerequisite for the start of the innovation committee."
Previously, Chairperson Kim stated that if a party member opinion poll is conducted on the five major reform proposals he suggested, he would resign as chairperson regardless of the results. The five major reform proposals include ▲ holding a national convention by early September ▲ invalidation of the party line opposing presidential impeachment ▲ investigation into the circumstances surrounding attempts to replace candidates for the 21st presidential election and party affairs audit ▲ establishment of a procedure to reflect both party sentiments and public opinion in party votes ▲ 100% upward nomination system for local elections, among others.
In contrast, Floor Leader Song stated at the floor strategy meeting that he plans to first establish the innovation committee and then discuss the five major reform proposals. He said, "The innovation committee will prepare reform proposals that encompass not only the five major reform proposals suggested by Chairperson Kim Yong-tae but also a structural reform that includes the overall system reform of the party and will gather opinions within the party broadly."