People Power Party, Launching 'Joo Ho-young Emergency Committee' Season 2... Kwon Seong-dong "No Announcement Today" (Comprehensive)

Leadership Vacancy Likely Filled Before Chuseok
Joo Ho-young Favored but
Strong Internal Opposition Emerges
Concerns Over Worsening Public Opinion of 'Road Joo Ho-young'

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the 4th National Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th, wearing a serious expression. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee, Hyunji Kwon] The People Power Party has completed the revision of 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.

On the morning of the 5th at 10 a.m., the People Power Party will hold a National Committee meeting to complete the revision of 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 on the 2nd, which specified the "emergency situation" condition required for transitioning to the Emergency Response Committee. Then, 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 revised constitution.

Wonnae Leader Kwon Seong-dong, who is currently acting as the Emergency Response Committee chairperson, will announce the new chairperson leading the Emergency Response Committee soon after gathering additional opinions following the meeting. Although the appointment was initially scheduled to be announced on this day, it may be delayed by a day or two due to Kwon's prolonged deliberation. The new chairperson is expected to be appointed by the 8th, before the Chuseok holiday, and the People Power Party will hold a Standing National Committee meeting later to complete the appointment procedure.

When asked by reporters about the timing of the chairperson announcement, Wonnae Leader Kwon said, "There will be no announcement today," adding, "Since the National Committee meeting is on Thursday (the 8th), the announcement will be made late Wednesday afternoon (the 7th) or Thursday morning."

Among the leading candidates for the new Emergency Response Committee chairperson is Representative Joo Ho-young, whose duties were suspended by the court's first injunction decision. Policy Committee Chairperson Sung Il-jong said on a radio program that day, "(Representative Joo) was a co-leader with Kim Jong-in during the Emergency Response Committee and helped revive the party. As a key figure in regime change, many party lawmakers believe that Representative Joo is the most suitable candidate." A first-term lawmaker from the People Power Party also said, "Since Representative Joo stepped down due to procedural flaws, it seems acceptable for him to return," adding, "He also served as Wonnae Leader during difficult times, so correcting procedural flaws and reinstating him is reasonable."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, voices opposing Representative Joo's appointment are growing within the party. The concern is that the "Road to Joo Ho-young" image would not be well received by public opinion. A second-term lawmaker said, "It might be better to put new wine in new wineskins," adding, "Politics should always show a changed image." A senior lawmaker said, "Even if Representative Joo does not become the Emergency Response Committee chairperson, he might take on another important role." There are also reports that the Presidential Office has expressed concerns about Representative Joo being appointed again. Among the names circulating as potential new chairpersons are three-term Representative Kim Tae-ho, who previously served as Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, as well as Representatives Kim Hak-yong, Kim Sang-hoon, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Yoon Jae-ok. If a new chairperson is appointed, it is highly likely that all existing Emergency Response Committee members will be replaced.

As the appointment of the Emergency Response Committee chairperson is delayed, former leader Lee posted on his Facebook that day, "Are you now pushing for an Emergency Response Committee that cannot even reveal who the chairperson is because they fear injunctions?" and added, "Shouldn't you fear public opinion rather than injunctions?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, internal party sentiment regarding former leader Lee is worsening. A first-term lawmaker said, "He keeps heading down a dead-end road," and criticized, "Wasn't his press conference yesterday like a 'decision to break up'?" A lawmaker from the TK region said, "At the beginning, when former leader Lee was disciplined by the Ethics Committee, there was some sympathy that he should be supported, 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.