Semiconductor Special Committee Chair Yang Hyang-ja Receives Love Call, Draws Line on Joining People Power Party

Yang Hyang-ja "Will Accept Chairmanship if Special Committee Established at National Assembly Level"

Yang Hyang-ja, Chair of the Semiconductor Special Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea. / Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Koo Chae-eun and Lee Hyun-joo] Independent lawmaker Yang Hyang-ja drew a line on the rumors of her joining the People Power Party (PPP) on the 20th, telling this outlet, "This is not the place to talk about joining the party." This is interpreted as a reaffirmation of her intention to cooperate on a bipartisan level rather than joining the PPP, even if she accepts the position of chairperson of the ruling party's Special Committee for Semiconductor Industry Support (tentative name). However, since the PPP is pursuing expansion of its base and Seong Il-jong, the party’s policy chief who is at the forefront of the party’s westward policy, proposed the special committee chair position, requests for Yang to join the PPP are expected to continue steadily.

In a post on social media the day before, Yang also stated on the premise that it would be a special committee at the National Assembly level "beyond the People Power Party level," that she had responded to the PPP’s request for her to accept the chairperson position by saying she would consider accepting it if the special committee involved the government, industry, and academia together. Yang, the first female executive from Samsung Electronics and a semiconductor expert, entered politics in 2016 during the 20th general election as a talent recruited by the Democratic Party. Recently, she was offered the chairperson position of the Special Committee for Semiconductor Industry Support by Chairman Seong.

Accordingly, even if Yang participates in the special committee activities, it is possible that she will maintain her independent status rather than immediately going through the party admission process, while engaging in matters such as the Semiconductor Special Act. When President Yoon Suk-yeol emphasized semiconductor talent development on the 7th, Yang expressed in a media interview that semiconductor workforce training is "an issue beyond political factions" and indicated her intention to prepare related legislation.

The People Power Party has continuously sent love calls to Yang. When Yang opposed the "Crime Investigation and Prosecution Reform Act" (commonly known as the "검수완박" law), PPP floor leader Kwon Seong-dong said at a party meeting, "Seeing her courage, spirit, and constitutional mindset, I think there is much to learn from her." A PPP lawmaker said, "She has previously published a book about making Korea a science-advanced country, and considering Yang’s tendencies, she could definitely join our party," adding, "If she takes on the chairperson role, it could greatly contribute to the westward policy."

Meanwhile, Yang, who was elected as a Democratic Party candidate in Gwangju Seo-eul in the 21st general election, was expelled over allegations of secondary victimization related to a sexual harassment incident involving her aide last year. After being cleared by the police and applying for reinstatement to the Democratic Party, she publicly opposed the "Crime Investigation and Prosecution Reform Act" in April, clashed with the party, and withdrew her intention to rejoin.

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