Ruling Party Enters Emergency Committee System... Floor Leader Election on 16th and Party Convention on 2nd Next Month (Comprehensive)

Responsibility for Election Defeat... 'Leadership Resigns Completely', 'Emergency Committee System Initiated'

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Ju-yeon] The Democratic Party of Korea has finally taken the drastic step of 'total resignation of the leadership' and 'launching an emergency response committee system' to take responsibility for its crushing defeat in the April 7 by-elections. The party convention to elect the currently vacant party leader was originally scheduled for May 9 but will be moved up by about a week to May 2. Until a new floor leader is elected on the 16th of this month, Representative Do Jong-hwan will serve as the emergency committee chairman. Afterwards, the newly elected floor leader will become the emergency committee chairman and lead the party.

On the 8th, the Democratic Party held a video conference meeting with its lawmakers from 10:30 a.m. and engaged in heated debates over the total resignation of the leadership and the emergency committee system, ultimately deciding on the total resignation of the leadership as outlined.

Kim Tae-nyeon, acting party leader, issued a public statement at 1 p.m. in the National Assembly party leader’s conference room, saying, "The Democratic Party of Korea will take responsibility for the election results and resign en masse." He added, "We will devote ourselves to reform so that the Democratic Party can be reborn as a party that receives the trust and love of the people like a deeply rooted tree."

Kim, the acting leader, said, "The party convention and floor leader election will be held as soon as possible," adding, "The newly elected leadership will lead innovation that aligns with public sentiment."

The total resignation of the leadership and the emergency committee system had also been mentioned at an emergency meeting convened after the exit poll results were released the previous day. However, there were opinions expressing concern about the fact that less than a year remains until next year’s presidential election, so a conclusion was not easily reached. It was also reported that opinions needed to be coordinated on how long the emergency committee system would be maintained, whether until the floor leader election or the party convention. Until just before the start of the party meeting that day, members were extremely reluctant and cautious about discussing changes to the party system.

However, after receiving a devastating report card of complete defeat in 41 autonomous districts in Seoul and Busan and confirming the loss of public support, it was interpreted that the party judged it would be difficult to show signs of reform through by-elections that only fill some positions, such as former party leader Lee Nak-yeon.

Choi In-ho, chief spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said at a briefing with reporters after the meeting, "To preserve the sincerity of the leadership’s total resignation decision for thorough reflection and innovation, we decided to hold the party convention and floor leader election as quickly as possible."

Accordingly, the party convention originally scheduled for May 9 will be held on May 2. The floor leader election will be held on the 16th of this month, and until then, Representative Do Jong-hwan will take responsibility as the emergency committee chairman. Regarding Do’s appointment as emergency committee chairman, Chief Spokesperson Choi said, "The Supreme Council judged him to be the most suitable candidate."

The emergency committee, which will be maintained until the floor leader is elected, will be composed of seven members: Representatives Min Hong-chul, Lee Hak-young, Do Jong-hwan, Shin Hyun-young, Oh Young-hwan, Kim Young-jin, the floor deputy leader, and Park Jeong-hyun, mayor of Daejeon Daedeok District.

When asked about the background of the emergency committee members’ selection, Chief Spokesperson Choi explained, "Representative Min Hong-chul is the chair of the National Defense Committee and a three-term lawmaker; Representative Lee Hak-young is the chair of the economic standing committee; Representative Do Jong-hwan represents social, cultural, and educational sectors as the chair of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee." He added, "First-term lawmakers Shin Hyun-young and Oh Young-hwan not only represent the younger generation but Shin Hyun-young is also a woman and has worked as a COVID-19 prevention expert. Oh Young-hwan is the youngest lawmaker in the party and is especially suitable for conveying field communication with the younger generation to the party."

Byun Jae-il will serve as the chair of the preparatory committee for the nationwide party convention during the interim political period, and Representative Lee Sang-min will take charge as the central party election commissioner.

Chief Spokesperson Choi said, "Going forward, during the floor leader election and party convention process, the party will fully engage in communication with lawmakers and party members," adding, "Through comprehensive communication between lawmakers and party members, the Democratic Party will thoroughly discuss and decide on the issues it needs to reflect on, innovate, and uphold in the future."

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