Ahn Cheol-soo, a member of the People Power Party, resigned as the chairperson of the Innovation Committee, igniting a division within the party over his call for "a personnel overhaul." Kwon Young-se, the former emergency committee chairperson, and Kweon Seong-dong, the former floor leader, revealed their conversations and publicly criticized Ahn. The People Power Party is expected to continue internal strife as it divides between factions advocating for personnel cleansing and the former leadership.
Kweon Seong-dong, the former floor leader, stated on Facebook on the 8th, "Yesterday (the 7th), Ahn Cheol-soo suddenly announced his resignation from the chairperson of the Innovation Committee and named me and former Chairperson Kwon Young-se as targets for personnel cleansing, then declared his candidacy for the next party convention." He added, "It is very regrettable to see someone prioritize personal gain even in such a crisis situation."
In particular, Kweon Seong-dong recalled that Ahn visited his office for a conversation on June 30, stating, "At that time, Ahn stressed that he would focus the vision of the Innovation Committee on reforms at the Yeouido Institute and policy innovation and declared that he had 'absolutely no' plans to run for the convention." He emphasized, "There was also no mention of a personnel overhaul at all."
He further asserted, "Using the significant role of chairperson of the Innovation Committee as a spotlight for personal gain is, in itself, a subject of innovation," and added, "Mentioning innovation while discussing candidacy for the convention is truly contradictory."
The former emergency committee chairperson also criticized, "In this difficult situation where efforts to innovate and rebuild conservatism are insufficient, it is truly regrettable to see some individuals seeking their interests while disguising it as public interest or reform, driving the party into internal strife." He further noted, "If such individuals become actual leaders, our party will become even more difficult and unable to escape from chaotic internal strife."
Ahn Cheol-soo announced his resignation as chairperson of the Innovation Committee the previous day, declaring his intention to run for party leader in the upcoming convention in August. He decided to resign after showing differing views with the leadership regarding the selection of innovation commissioners and personnel cleansing of two individuals who bear political responsibility in the presidential election. It is reported that the two individuals he mentioned are the former floor leader Kweon Seong-dong and the former emergency committee chairperson Kwon Young-se.
Right after the press conference on his resignation as chairperson of the Innovation Committee, Ahn said, "I believe many citizens want a personnel overhaul. Continuous innovation that can gain the citizens' support with minimal personnel changes should persist," adding, "If the Innovation Committee is not accepted, I judged that it would fail and cause greater harm to the party."
The internal strife within the People Power Party is expected to prolong as it revolves around the leadership and reformist factions. Park Eun-sik, who is said to have been suggested by Ahn as an innovation commissioner, revealed on Facebook, "I learned through articles that I would not be an innovation commissioner without any notification," and openly criticized the leadership, stating, "I do not understand the current decision of the emergency committee."
The People Power Party plans to appoint a new chairperson of the Innovation Committee in place of the resigned Ahn Cheol-soo. Song Eon-seok, the chairperson of the People Power Party's emergency committee and floor leader, expressed that it is "regrettable and perplexing" regarding Ahn's resignation.