People Power Party, Launching 'Joo Ho-young Emergency Committee Season 2'... Opposition Public Opinion Intensifies

Leadership Vacuum to Be Quickly Resolved Before Chuseok
No Announcement Expected Today on Emergency Committee Chair Appointment

Divided Opinions Over Main Emergency Committee Chair
"Must Continue Due to Procedural Flaws Leading to Resignation"
"New Wine in New Wineskin" · "Another Important Role Expected"

"Lee Jun-seok Has Become a Symbol of Division Himself" Party Opinion Worsens

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Hyunji Kwon] The People Power Party has completed amendments to the party constitution and regulations to launch a new Emergency Response Committee and plans to promptly finalize the appointment of the committee chairperson. The party aims to swiftly resolve the leadership vacuum caused by the mass resignation of Supreme Council members and former leader Lee Jun-seok's injunction request before the Chuseok holiday.

At 10 a.m. on the 5th, the People Power Party will hold a National Committee meeting to complete the amendments to the party constitution and regulations necessary for launching the new Emergency Response Committee. This is a follow-up measure after the Standing National Committee approved the amendment bill on the 2nd, which specified the 'emergency situation' conditions required for the transition to the Emergency Response Committee. Later, at 2 p.m., the Standing National Committee will convene again to pass a party constitution interpretation agenda to determine whether the current party situation qualifies as an emergency based on the amended constitution.

Won Seong-dong, the floor leader currently acting as the interim chairperson of the Emergency Response Committee, will announce the new chairperson who will lead the committee soon after gathering additional opinions following the meeting. Although the appointment was initially scheduled to be announced on this day, the announcement may be delayed by a day or two due to Won's prolonged deliberation. The new chairperson is expected to be appointed by the 8th, before the Chuseok holiday, after which the People Power Party will hold a Standing National Committee meeting to complete the appointment procedure.

Joo Ho-young, whose duties were suspended by the court's first injunction decision, has been strongly considered as the new Emergency Response Committee chairperson. On a radio program that day, Policy Committee Chairperson Seong Il-jong said, "(Chairman Joo) was a key figure alongside Kim Jong-in in saving the party and played a leading role in regime change, so the consensus among party lawmakers is that Chairman Joo would be suitable." A first-term lawmaker from the People Power Party also said, "Since Chairman Joo stepped down due to procedural flaws, it seems acceptable for him to return," adding, "He also served as floor leader during difficult times, so correcting procedural flaws and reinstating him is reasonable."

On the other hand, voices opposing Chairman Joo's appointment are growing within the party, citing concerns that the 'Road to Joo Ho-young' image would negatively affect public opinion. A second-term lawmaker said, "Putting new wine in new wineskins is also fine," adding, "Politics should always show a changed image." A senior lawmaker said, "Even if Chairman Joo does not serve as Emergency Response Committee chairperson, I think he will take on another important role." Some reports suggest that the Presidential Office has also expressed concerns about Chairman Joo being reappointed. Among the names circulating as alternatives are three-term lawmaker Kim Tae-ho, who previously served as governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, as well as lawmakers Kim Hak-yong, Kim Sang-hoon, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Yoon Jae-ok.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There are also calls for the Emergency Response Committee to be launched quickly to swiftly resolve former leader Lee Jun-seok's external conflict. On the same day, Lee posted on his Facebook, "Are you now pushing for an Emergency Response Committee that is afraid to even reveal who the chairperson is because of fear of injunctions?" and "Shouldn't you fear public sentiment rather than injunctions?"

Public opinion within the party regarding Lee is worsening. A first-term lawmaker said, "We are heading down a dead-end road," and criticized, "Lee's press conference yesterday seemed like a decision to break up." A lawmaker from the TK region said, "At the beginning, when Lee was disciplined by the Ethics Committee, there was some sympathy that he should be kept on, but now such opinions are no longer heard," adding, "He is becoming the 'icon of division' himself."

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