"Unjustified New Emergency Committee" Turmoil in People Power Party

Standing Committee and National Committee Meetings by the 5th
New Emergency Committee Launch Planned for the 8th
Possibility of Kwon Seong-dong's Resignation as Floor Leader
Attention on New Emergency Committee Chair and Floor Leader

Ongoing Internal Party Opposition
Lee Jun-seok's Injunction Request Also a Variable

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is deep in thought after finishing his remarks at the party's policy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee and Boryeong Geum] As the People Power Party begins the process of appointing a new Emergency Response Committee Chairperson, a new power structure within the party is rapidly emerging. After the chairperson is elected, there is a high possibility that Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong will resign, making the identity of the new chairperson and floor leader a key point of interest within the party. However, some factions still oppose the formation of a new emergency committee without justification, and if former leader Lee Jun-seok files another injunction against this, the party is likely to be embroiled in legal disputes, prolonging the internal turmoil.

According to the People Power Party on the 1st, the Standing National Committee and the National Committee will convene by the 5th to approve amendments to the party constitution that revise the conditions for transitioning to an Emergency Response Committee. The plan is to launch the new emergency committee by the 8th, before the Chuseok holiday.

The launch of the new emergency committee reflects the opinions gathered from lawmakers at the recent caucus meeting, where the majority agreed that Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong would resign after the committee's formation. A senior lawmaker said, "Forming the new emergency committee and having Floor Leader Kwon decide his position essentially means he intends to step down." A first-term lawmaker also said in a phone interview, "When the previous emergency committee was launched, we expected the floor leader to resign, but he retained his position and joined as a committee member, which caused controversy," adding, "This also gave former leader Lee Jun-seok a pretext to attack, so most believe he will resign this time." The day before, lawmaker Jang Je-won announced on his Facebook that he would not accept any appointed public office under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, leading to expectations that Floor Leader Kwon will also step down.

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

However, some within the party still oppose the new emergency committee system. Ahn Cheol-soo, a People Power Party lawmaker and a potential next party leader, said in an interview that "In principle, since the court did not allow this (emergency committee), it is right to formally return to the Supreme Council," and added, "If the emergency committee is reinstated, what will be done if the court issues another injunction? There is no way around that." A first-term lawmaker also said in a phone interview, "Creating a new leadership system for our party is somewhat risky," and added, "We need to fix it somehow and get it ready to set sail. Then the position should be decided based on the will of party members or lawmakers." Former leader Lee also posted on his Facebook that day, titled ‘Organizing the contradictions one must understand to become a Yoon core faction member.’

If the new emergency committee is launched normally, the next party convention is likely to be held after the regular National Assembly session ends. There is also interest in whether former leader Lee will be able to run. Regarding the date of the convention, lawmaker Ahn believes it should be held after the regular session concludes, between December and January of next year. In response to the suggestion that Lee could run if the convention is held in January, another potential party leader, lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun, said, "If former leader Lee is qualified, he should run."

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