The Democratic Party to Hold Afternoon Meeting to Discuss Measures for 'Joo Ho-young's Suspension'

On the 27th at 4 PM, the People Power Party's parliamentary meeting will be held at the National Assembly
High possibility of continuing with Kwon Seong-dong as acting leader if current leadership structure is maintained

Joo Ho-young, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 18th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Boryeong] The People Power Party will hold a party meeting on the 27th to discuss countermeasures against the court's decision to suspend Joo Ho-young, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman, from his duties.

Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, informed party members the day before, saying, "There will be an urgent issue discussion at the party meeting on the 27th," and urged, "Members are requested to cancel all regional schedules and attend the party meeting without fail." The party meeting will be held at 4 p.m. at the National Assembly on the same day.

This party meeting is intended to devise a solution following the court's partial acceptance of a provisional injunction filed by former party leader Lee Jun-seok, requesting the suspension of the 'Joo Ho-young Emergency Response Committee system.' The court's decision to suspend Chairman Joo's execution of duties until the final ruling on the main case has made the normal operation of the Emergency Response Committee system difficult.

Regarding the court's decision, the People Power Party expressed dissent by filing an objection. The party distributed reference materials stating, "In special sub-societies such as political parties, which have autonomous internal legal norms, disputes that do not directly relate to the general civil legal order and remain internal issues should be resolved autonomously and independently." They emphasized, "Even when the court reviews the appropriateness of autonomous decisions or resolutions within a political party, it should approve them as valid unless the party's decision or intention is clearly unjust in procedure or is recognized as significantly lacking social reasonableness." As an example, they attached a 1994 court ruling on the 'state of emergency' in the Jogye Order, a religious organization.

If the People Power Party maintains the current leadership structure, it is highly likely that Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong will act as the Emergency Response Committee Chairman. Although the party's constitution and regulations do not specify rules for the accident or vacancy of the Emergency Response Committee Chairman, when applying the related regulations for the party leader, who holds the same authority, the interpretation is that the floor leader is the successor. Song Eon-seok, the senior deputy floor leader, explained to reporters the day before, "The party constitution and regulations state that the Emergency Response Committee Chairman holds the status and authority of the party leader, so applying those regulations, it was the opinion of many experts and party insiders that the floor leader should act as the Emergency Response Committee Chairman." However, voices within the party calling for the leadership to take responsibility and resign are considered a variable.

Meanwhile, former leader Lee posted a message encouraging party membership on his Facebook the previous night. This was the first reaction about 10 hours after the court's decision. Lee said, "It's a good Friday evening to join the party," and added, "A conservative party can be changed by your participation. We are just one person short. Please make your decision now."

Former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok is answering questions from reporters after concluding the hearing for his injunction request to suspend the effectiveness of the party's emergency committee at the Seoul Southern District Court on the afternoon of the 17th. (Photo by Yonhap News)

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