In Solemn Determination, Democratic Party Emergency Committee Holds First Meeting: "We Must Not Turn Our Own Members Into Enemies"

Woo Sang-ho, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 13th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Emergency Response Committee members of the Democratic Party of Korea expressed a solemn determination on the 13th regarding the formation of the committee following the party's defeat in the local elections.

Han Jeong-ae, a three-term lawmaker representing the Emergency Response Committee, stated at the first committee meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "I believe the mission of this Emergency Response Committee is to ensure that the Democratic Party of Korea, with its 70-year history, never again faces a situation where extraordinary measures are necessary." Han explained, "Many people called me to congratulate me on my appointment as a committee member, but I told them that this is not something to be congratulated on."

Han added, "I think there will be various discussions within our party leading up to the party convention," and urged, "In the process of debate, consultation, and reaching consensus, we must not turn lawmakers, party members, or those within our party into enemies."

Park Jae-ho, a two-term lawmaker representing the committee, said, "Although the period is short, this is a critical time for the survival of the Democratic Party, so everyone will do their best," and added, "We will not hesitate to fix what needs fixing and eliminate what needs to be eliminated." Park also said, "I will strive to unite the Democratic Party through healthy debate and compromise."

Lee Yong-woo, a first-term lawmaker who joined as a representative, said, "We lost three consecutive elections: the by-elections, the presidential election, and the local elections," and emphasized, "Our party cannot continue in this state and must undergo thorough reflection and be reborn." Lee stated, "Our opposition party must be reborn as a competent party capable of thorough criticism," and added, "I believe we must transform ourselves from the perspective of the people's expectations."

Kim Hyun-jung, representing the non-incumbent party branch chairpersons, said, "First, there should have been an investigation and evaluation of the causes behind the presidential and local election defeats and the breach of public sentiment," but cautioned, "However, shifting responsibility to someone else without a proper investigation of the causes only diverts from the core issues and risks being perceived by the public as factional conflict, which could undermine the momentum for reform, so this must be avoided." Regarding the election of the party leader, Kim said, "Improvements must be made to properly reflect both party members' and public opinion."

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