Will the Label 'Lee Jun-seok's Private Organization' Be Removed?... People Power Party Innovation Committee to Officially Launch Next Week

All Supreme Council Member Candidate Nominations Completed
Final Approval Expected at Supreme Council Meeting on the 20th

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The People Power Party is set to officially launch its Innovation Committee as early as the beginning of next week. The Innovation Committee, which had been strained due to the so-called ‘Lee Jun-seok private organization’ controversy, gained momentum as the Supreme Council members with recommendation rights completed all candidate nominations.

According to the People Power Party on the 16th, the Supreme Council plans to give final approval for the Innovation Committee appointments next week. Currently, the Supreme Council meeting on the 20th is the most likely date. Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting held that day, "Regarding the Innovation Committee, I have entrusted Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, and once Chairman Choi believes the formation is complete, it will be launched," adding, "I think various preparations have been made."

Chairman Choi, who is leading the Innovation Committee, is reportedly in the final stages of carefully selecting the list of recommended members. Because of this, there is speculation that the official launch might be delayed by about two days.

So far, lawyer Cheon Ha-ram was the first to be recommended by youth Supreme Council member Kim Yong-tae as an Innovation Committee member, followed by lawmakers Kim Mi-ae, Seo Jeong-sook, and Han Mu-gyeong joining the list. Former Jeju Seogwipo Hotel (Military Hotel) president Lee Geon-gyu, former JoongAng Ilbo editorial director Kim Jong-hyuk, and former Bundang-eul party district chairman Kim Min-su have also agreed to participate. The remaining members will be appointed by Chairman Choi. There is a possibility that more members than the initially expected 14 will participate.

From the beginning, the Innovation Committee has faced ongoing controversy over whether it is a private organization of Leader Lee. Misunderstandings arose from Lee’s remarks about ‘doing his own politics’ on the first anniversary of his inauguration and his prioritization of reorganizing the nomination system. Aware of this situation, floor leader Kwon Seong-dong said on a radio show that day, "The person appointed as Innovation Committee chairman mentioned nominations, but whether nomination rules will be prioritized or other matters will take precedence will be decided through intense discussions within the Innovation Committee." Lawmaker Han Mu-gyeong, recommended by Kwon, also said, "Once the Innovation Committee starts, it will discuss not only nominations but all other issues."

However, in the operation of the Innovation Committee, former party district chairman Kim Min-su, recommended by Supreme Council member Bae Hyun-jin, could become a flashpoint. In political circles, Supreme Council member Jeong Mi-kyung has been preliminarily appointed as the party district chairman for Bundang-eul in Gyeonggi Province, but some controversy arose over Bae’s recommendation of former chairman Kim. At the meeting that day, Supreme Council member Bae, seemingly targeting Leader Lee, said, "No one will bring intentions for their own politics into the Innovation Committee, and I promise to support it to function as a healthy organization within the party."

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