The People Power Party has launched procedures to form a new emergency response committee following the resignation of Chairman Kim Yong-tae. There has also been some backlash among potential candidates for party leadership regarding the proposed collective leadership system.
The People Power Party held a national committee meeting on the 27th and approved the agenda to convene the national committee for the formation of the emergency response committee on the 1st of next month. The agenda passed with 35 out of 37 members (94.6%) of the national committee voting in favor via an automated response telephone survey (ARS).
The People Power Party will decide on the establishment of the emergency response committee and the appointment of its chair at the national committee. Additionally, before holding the national committee, it is expected that a general meeting for lawmakers will be held, gathering opinions on allowing Song Eon-seok, the floor leader, to concurrently serve as chair of the emergency response committee for about two months.
The newly formed emergency response committee will determine the composition of the election management committee for the national convention to be held in August, as well as the timing and rules for the national convention. During the preparation process for the national convention, discussions are expected to address the leadership structures of 'unitary system' and 'collective system'. In the unitary system, the party leader and supreme committee members will compete separately, while in the collective system, the candidate with the highest votes will become the representative supreme committee member, and the runner-up will become a supreme committee member.
Potential candidates for party leadership have expressed opposition to the collective leadership system, arguing that it involves a reduction of the party leader's powers. Criticism has also emerged that the transition to a new leadership structure reflects the mainstream forces within the party seeking to maintain their vested interests.
Rep. Jeon Yeon-wook of the pro-Han Dong-hoon faction appeared on MBC Radio, stating, "We need a system where someone takes responsibility for running the party with an intention to be accountable for it," adding, "This kind of discussion cannot escape the accusation and criticism that it is targeting specific individuals."
Kim Jae-won, a former supreme committee member and former secretary to candidate Kim Moon-soo, said on YTN Radio, "Regarding the discussion about changing the leadership structure, some are raising conspiracy theories, suggesting that 'someone is trying to maintain their vested interests' or 'is there another intention behind it?'" Lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo, who is considered a strong contender for the party leadership, also stated on Facebook, "The collective leadership system will not work for the innovation of our party."