Ruling Party Shifts to 'Emergency Committee', Discusses Political Reform Legislation at Party Meeting... Party Renewal Plan and Transition Committee Response Also Expected to Be Raised

Afternoon of the 11th at 2 PM, Party Assembly
Discussion on Party Reform Plan and ‘Yun Ho-jung Emergency Committee’ System
Next Government Transition Team and Hearing Response Plan
Experts: “Emergency Committee Should Be Formed for Political Reform, Not for Election Defeat”

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate (center), is bowing in greeting at the disbandment ceremony of the campaign headquarters at the party's central office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Yoon Ho-jung, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the policy coordination meeting held at the National Assembly on the 10th and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Ki-min Lee and Chae-eun Koo] The Democratic Party of Korea, whose leadership resigned en masse following the presidential election defeat, plans to continue pushing forward the political reform legislation it had originally promised. Despite facing difficulties such as the formation of an emergency response committee, the party insists it is essential to keep its promises to the public, especially with the local elections approaching.

On the afternoon of the 11th, Democratic Party lawmakers held a caucus meeting to discuss the formation of the ‘Yun Ho-jung Emergency Response Committee,’ party reform plans, strategies for responding to the incoming administration’s transition committee and confirmation hearings, and local election strategies. It was reported that the political reform bill was also included on the agenda. A Democratic Party second-term lawmaker said in a phone interview, "There will be many events from the transition committee to the confirmation hearings, so there will be discussions on party management plans," adding, "Opinions will be raised that the party must uphold the promises it has made so far, such as political reform and real estate legislation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Another task is to establish the party’s stance on promoting political reform aimed at a multiparty system and coalition politics. The Democratic Party has declared it will pursue political reform legislation regardless of the presidential election outcome. Currently, the party intends to proceed with political reform legislation as planned, but conflicts are expected due to differing positions with the president-elect’s transition committee. Another first-term lawmaker said, "Since a significant number of basic local government heads are from the Democratic Party, it may still be seen as entrenched power, so how to reform candidate nominations for the local elections is an urgent issue that will be addressed."

Some perceive that, despite the overwhelming momentum for regime change, the party performed relatively well. A lawmaker who attended the Supreme Council meeting the previous day told this outlet, "There was an opinion that everyone resigning might lead to ‘anomie,’ but we decided on full resignation because we believed we must show responsibility," adding, "Under Chairman Yun’s emergency committee, we will create an opportunity for turnaround with ‘orderly recovery’ and continuous leadership, using the local elections as a turning point."

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party candidate who lost the presidential election, is greeting lined-up lawmakers and party officials on the afternoon of the 10th while attending the disbandment ceremony of the campaign headquarters held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Democratic Party presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, who was defeated in the presidential election, is leaving the party headquarters after attending the disbandment ceremony of the campaign committee held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 10th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Experts point out that the Democratic Party should form an emergency committee aimed at political reform rather than merely as a response to election defeat. Eom Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, said, "Thinking ‘Since candidate Lee Jae-myung lost narrowly by 200,000 votes, it’s still worth trying’ and hesitating to innovate and reform could lead to a bigger crisis," adding, "Both major parties agree on political reform, and the issue will fade over time, so now is the best time for the Democratic Party to push forward its political reform agenda. They need to show progress toward political reform."

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon also said, "Right after the presidential election, there is a strong tendency to support the party that produced the president, so the Democratic Party is likely to suffer consecutive defeats in the local elections if it remains passive," adding, "To avoid this, the Democratic Party must uphold its announced reform plans, such as the retirement of lawmakers with three or more terms and the 86 generation. Also, from the local elections onward, nominating new figures to showcase the party’s transformation is crucial, and it needs people who can diagnose and propose solutions from an outsider’s perspective rather than an insider’s."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, is greeting after concluding a concession press conference at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 10th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

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