'New Emergency Committee' Decided... But Flood of Calls for Kwon Seong-dong's Resignation

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering opening remarks at the 'High-level Party-Government Consultation Meeting' held on the 28th at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The People Power Party, which entered a 'state of emergency' following the partial approval of the court's injunction to suspend the emergency committee's authority, held a party caucus on the 27th and decided to establish a new emergency committee. However, as the position of Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong remains unclear, several lawmakers have publicly called for his resignation.

On the 28th, Cho Kyung-tae, a five-term senior lawmaker of the People Power Party, held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "The current leadership's capabilities have all been revealed," and urged the formation of a new floor leadership and the resignation of Floor Leader Kwon.

He cited reasons including the exposure of text messages exchanged between Floor Leader Kwon and President Yoon Seok-youl in the media, procedural legitimacy issues in the emergency committee's launch process, and drinking at a lawmakers' workshop despite the alcohol ban. Regarding Floor Leader Kwon's position, he criticized the decision made at the previous day's party caucus to decide "after resolving the situation," saying, "There is no end in sight," and asked, "How long will this amateurism be repeated?"

Four-term lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun also criticized via social media on the same day, saying, "Four decisions were made at yesterday's caucus, but in my view, these decisions have killed four things (politics, democracy, the party, and the president)," and added, "Floor Leader Kwon stepping down is the way to save politics, democracy, the party, and the president."

Three-term lawmaker Kim Tae-ho also urged his resignation on social media, stating, "If we fail to communicate and empathize with the people, it is mutual destruction. Above all, the weight of public sentiment must be taken seriously." He added, "Floor Leader Kwon stepping down voluntarily is the first step to resolving the situation."

He criticized the previous day's caucus decision, saying, "It is regrettable and frustrating that the party is trying to ignore public sentiment once again," and added, "Even if the court's decision can be avoided this way, public sentiment cannot be avoided."

Meanwhile, the People Power Party decided to dismantle the 'Joo Ho-young Emergency Committee' system and revise the party's constitution and regulations to form a new emergency committee through a marathon five-hour party caucus held the previous day. Floor Leader Kwon announced that he would convene a party caucus early next week to begin discussions on amending the party's constitution and regulations.

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