Chairman of the Legislation Committee, Merger, Youth... Key Tasks for the Next Opposition Leadership

Kim Ki-hyun New Floor Leader "Seongong Husa"... Cautious on Timing and Method

Kim Ki-hyun, the new floor leader of the People Power Party
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] With the election of Representative Kim Ki-hyun as the new floor leader of the People Power Party, attention is focused on the immediate tasks the next leadership must undertake. Amid pressing issues such as the allocation of the vacant chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and the merger with the People Party, it is expected to serve as a test of the next leadership's political capabilities.

Newly elected floor leader Kim won 66 votes in the final runoff vote held on the 30th, attended by 100 out of 101 People Power Party members. After the announcement of the results, he told reporters, "I have taken on the responsibility of floor leader at a truly critical time," and pledged, "I will abandon all personal interests and selfish desires and, with a spirit of putting the public before myself, once again restore the Republic of Korea from stagnation."

Can They Secure the 'Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chairmanship'?

The issue of electing the new chairperson of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, which the ruling and opposition parties agreed to renegotiate by the 7th of next month, is expected to be a major task for the next leadership. Previously, candidates running for floor leader, including Kim, unanimously called for "defending the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee." However, in an interview with Asia Economy on the 22nd, when asked whether he would demand the committee allocation from Yoon Ho-jung, the new floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, he took a somewhat passive stance, saying, "I will not demand it," and "It is their duty to fulfill, so we will not beg for it."

However, candidates running for the Democratic Party leadership have also stated that they cannot give up the chairmanship of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, suggesting a potential conflict between the next ruling and opposition leaderships. Therefore, the negotiation strategy with the Democratic Party, including how much voice the People Power Party's next leadership can have in the formation of the National Assembly committees, will be crucial.

When Will the Merger with the People Party Take Place?

Joo Ho-young, former acting leader of the People Power Party, and Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party
[Photo by Yonhap News]

The merger with the People Party, which was the last major task pursued by former acting party leader Joo Ho-young, is also a key issue the next leadership must resolve. Previously, on the afternoon of the 28th, former acting leader Joo met with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, to exchange views on opposition party unification and agreed to continue discussions after the election of the new floor leader of the People Power Party.

However, the timing of the merger remains uncertain at present. Former acting leader Joo hinted at a swift conclusion to the merger talks during the People Power Party members' meeting on the 30th, saying, "We could have declared the merger yesterday," while floor leader Kim takes a more cautious stance on the merger issue. On the same day, Kim stated, "When the new leadership is formed, we will redefine values and prepare a future vision, welcoming guests with whom we will unite," adding at a press conference, "A merger for the sake of a merger is not desirable," and "We will proceed after understanding what has been done so far and what remains to be done."

Key Political Keyword 'Youth'?Will Their Activities Expand?

With candidates for floor leader, including Kim, each emphasizing 'youth,' attention is on whether the next People Power Party leadership will continue efforts to engage the youth vote. The party is also focusing on delivering messages targeting young voters, as the 2030 generation's votes were a major factor in the April 7 by-elections.

Kim announced plans to expand the activities of young party members by establishing a political academy, a youth political academy, and reorganizing the youth wing, 'Youth People Power Party.' In an interview with Asia Economy, he said, "We will show a more open mind to approach the youth generation."

Small Business Owners, Vaccines, Real Estate

On the 12th, Choi Seung-jae and other members of the People Power Party held a press conference in front of the National Assembly main building, demanding legislation for retroactive application of compensation for losses due to COVID-19, together with small business owners and self-employed individuals. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Additionally, the next leadership is expected to focus on resolving pressing issues such as retroactive compensation for small business losses, COVID-19 vaccines, and real estate problems. In particular, the 'retroactive application of small business loss compensation' has become a contentious issue, with the opposition strongly opposing the failure to pass the compensation law by April. The People Power Party has adopted this as a party stance and continues to issue statements and hold tent protests.

Regarding this, floor leader Kim said, "As our party's position has been stated, the issue of small business loss compensation must naturally be resolved," and added, "To solve the most pressing issues of vaccines, housing, and jobs, the ruling and opposition parties must unite their efforts," indicating that related discussions will begin.

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