The Democratic Party Completes Innovation Committee Formation... Kim Jong-min: "The Principle Is a 'Century-Long Democratic Party,' Not Elections"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Wondara] The Innovation Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea has been launched. Kim Jong-min, the Innovation Committee Chair and a Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party, stated, "We will not address direct election-related agendas such as by-elections and the presidential election," adding, "We will focus on strengthening the party's capabilities and political reform until June next year."

On the morning of the 26th, Chair Kim reported on the formation and main activities of the Innovation Committee during a briefing at the National Assembly Communication Office, saying, "Today, at the Supreme Council meeting, I reported on the composition and key activities of the Innovation Committee." He added, "The committee consists of nine members, composed of party insiders to ensure responsible and substantive discussions." The Innovation Committee will include Chair Kim, along with Assembly members Kwon Chil-seung, Lee Yong-woo, Lee Tan-hee, Oh Ki-hyung, and Hong Jung-min, as well as Chief International Spokesperson Choi Ji-eun and Kim Bora, Mayor of Anseong City, Gyeonggi Province.

Chair Kim said, "The Innovation Committee has adopted the operational principle of 'Smart and Competent Hundred-Year Democratic Party,'" and added, "We will further enhance the Democratic Party's capabilities and unite its members more closely." He continued, "This Innovation Committee aims to transform the party into one that not only excels in elections but also leads the governance of South Korea after elections, sets the direction of national policy, and plays its fundamental role in guiding social consensus. That is where we emphasize the points of innovation." He also said, "We will primarily focus on how the party should change," adding, "Agendas related to parliamentary reform and political reform will be included, and once those directions are established, it is expected to develop into broader political reform discussions."

Chair Kim made it clear that the Innovation Committee is not an organization for elections. He emphasized, "When asked how it relates to the by-elections in April next year, fundamentally, the Innovation Committee does not handle regulations or systems related to next year's by-elections, the presidential election the year after, or primaries. It does not directly deal with election-related agendas." However, he noted, "Until now, recruiting talent before elections has been the basic attitude of Korean political parties, but this paradigm must change," adding, "Now, talent should not be recruited but nurtured."

Regarding future plans, he said, "We will hold a preparatory meeting tomorrow and then hold Innovation Committee plenary sessions about twice a week." He added, "The first phase of activities will be short-term innovation achievements over four months until the end of February, and mid- to long-term tasks will be completed through activities in the latter half from March to June." He continued, "To reflect diverse perspectives, we will form advisory groups consisting of experts, youth, local autonomy, and party officials to listen to opinions from both inside and outside the party in a thorough and balanced manner. We will also establish a discussion group of party members to ensure that the Innovation Committee is one where party members actively participate and contribute."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.