The People Power Party is once again experiencing internal turmoil following comments about personnel renewal by Chairperson Yoon Hee-sook regarding specific personnel. The legislators identified as targets for personnel renewal and the party leadership are in an atmosphere of opposition to Yoon's remarks. In contrast, Chairperson Yoon has reiterated her call for those legislators to not run in the next general election.
On the morning of the 17th, the People Power Party held a emergency response committee meeting at the National Assembly to discuss the innovation plans with Chairperson Yoon. The discussed innovation proposals include ▲ recording a public apology in the party constitution and regulations ▲ changing the decision-making structure to a single leadership system ▲ relaxing the requirements for member recall.
However, the main concern of the emergency response committee that day was 'personnel renewal.' This is because Chairperson Yoon ignited internal conflict when, during a press briefing the day before, she told Song Eon-seok, the emergency response committee chair and floor leader, along with Na Kyung-won, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Jang Dong-hyuk, that they needed to 'declare their positions themselves.' She also demanded all members of the People Power Party sign a 'pledge to refrain from factional activities.'
The targeted legislators all reacted strongly. Na Kyung-won stated on Facebook, 'It is unacceptable that the innovation committee has stepped in to label us as 'anti-innovation' and demand public self-criticism and declarations of our positions,' adding, 'Please stop this self-destructive behavior that undermines our reason for existence and foundation.' Jang Dong-hyuk also criticized, saying, 'Chairperson Yoon is recklessly suggesting we sever ties everywhere. And she packages that as 'innovation.'
The reactions from the emergency response committee members appear to be no different from those of the opposing legislators. After the meeting, Chairperson Yoon met reporters at the National Assembly and when asked about the emergency response committee members' reactions regarding personnel renewal, she described it as 'bullying.' She added, 'It is extremely frustrating for the public that there is no one in our party taking responsibility,' emphasizing, 'The appearance of senior members taking responsibility beautifully is important.'
As discord arises between the innovation committee and the so-called 'old friends of the president' legislators, speculation has emerged that the People Power Party may once again fall into self-inflicted turmoil. Floor leader Song, who is also a party to the personnel renewal, stated, 'I believe innovation is necessary for the party, and we are working to create innovation plans that everyone can agree on to the maximum extent possible,' dismissing the controversy.
Jung Jeom-sik, the secretary-general of the People Power Party, stated after the emergency response committee meeting, '(Personnel renewal) was not an agenda item for the innovation committee, but rather an opinion from the chairperson herself,' adding, 'Today was a procedure to officially deliver what are referred to as innovation 2 and 3 to the party,' while withholding further comments.
The People Power Party plans to hold a general meeting on the 20th at the National Assembly to gather opinions on the innovation proposals within the party. Following this, the innovation proposals are expected to proceed through the emergency response committee's decisions and the National Committee and Regional Committee, leading to amendments in party regulations.
Chairperson Yoon is reported to be considering announcing the second and third targets for personnel renewal, following the announcement of the first target. When asked whether the criteria for the second and third personnel renewal are similar to the first, Chairperson Yoon replied, 'Please wait a little.' She emphasized, 'We are making proposals and recommending them, and the decision lies with the leadership.'