Joo Ho-young Declines Ruling Party Emergency Committee Chair... 'Honam 4-term' Park Joo-sun Emerges as Alternative (Comprehensive)

Former Emergency Committee Chairman Joo Ho-young of the People Power Party is standing up from his seat after finishing a press conference at the National Assembly on the 6th, where he expressed his refusal to accept the position of Emergency Committee Chairman. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] Joo Ho-young, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party who was strongly considered for the new position, announced on the 6th that he would not take the post, saying, "New wine should be put in new bottles."

At a press conference held at the National Assembly main building on the same day, former Chairman Joo stated, "I thought it was right for a new person to take charge of the newly launched emergency committee and start with a fresh mindset."

He said, "I received a proposal from the party to take charge of the emergency committee again, but for that reason, I expressed my opinion that it would be better if I did not take the position," adding, "I have been contemplating this decision for a long time." When asked whether he had consulted with President Yoon Seok-yeol in advance about this decision, he only replied, "No."

Regarding the timing of his decision, former Chairman Joo said, "After the court issued the provisional injunction to suspend the execution of duties, our party resolved to form a new emergency committee, and from that stage, I have been considering whether it would be good or not for me to take charge again."

However, it is known that he did not make any specific recommendations regarding the new emergency committee chairman. He said, "The formation of the emergency committee is under the authority of the floor leader, who acts as the party representative," and added, "I have never expressed any opinions about the appointment of a successor."

When asked whether other emergency committee members should also resign, he said, "Since this is a procedural issue rather than a problem with the emergency committee itself, I believe it is better to proceed together with the already appointed members," but added, "Once the new emergency committee chairman is appointed, there may be changes depending on how the new committee is led."

The People Power Party aims to launch the emergency committee before Chuseok. When asked whether the announcement might be delayed due to former Chairman Joo's refusal, he replied, "I believe the probability of delay is low."

Immediately after former Chairman Joo expressed his refusal, there were talks within the ruling party that former National Assembly Vice Speaker Park is a strong candidate for the new emergency committee chairman. It is said that they have decided to recruit an external figure for the new chairman. Former Vice Speaker Park, originally from the Democratic Party, publicly supported President Yoon Seok-yeol during the last presidential primary and later served as co-chairman of the People Power Party's election committee. He also served as the chairman of the presidential inauguration preparation committee.

People Power Party floor leader Kwon Seong-dong is expected to gather consensus at a meeting with lawmakers by seniority on the same day. Leader Kwon met with lawmakers with three or more terms in the morning and will hold a meeting with second-term lawmakers at 2 p.m. He is also reported to meet with the operating committee members of first-term lawmakers and the deputy floor leaders at 3 p.m.

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