Yeo to be next Emergency Committee Chair Jeong Jin-seok... Kwon Seong-dong "Approved at Party Meeting" (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] Jeong Jin-seok, the most senior member within the party and Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, was finally appointed as the new Emergency Response Committee Chairperson of the People Power Party on the 7th. Former Deputy Speaker Park Joo-sun, an external figure, was also considered but reportedly declined.

On the same day, Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader, told reporters after the party members' meeting, "The party members' meeting approved Deputy Speaker Jeong as the next Emergency Response Committee Chairperson."

A total of 75 members attended the meeting and approved the new chairperson by applause. However, Floor Leader Kwon added, "In the case of Representative Kim Woong, he explicitly expressed opposition."

Floor Leader Kwon said, "When we first searched for a new Emergency Response Committee Chairperson candidate, Deputy Speaker Jeong was the first person who came to mind, but he declined for various reasons. So, we turned to external candidates, but the external figure firmly declined, saying 'I don't know the party well' and 'It is not appropriate to become the chairperson of the Emergency Response Committee for a party I am not familiar with.'" When asked whether the 'external figure' was former Deputy Speaker Park, who was initially considered a strong candidate, Kwon refrained from naming him directly.

Floor Leader Kwon added, "So, I visited Deputy Speaker Jeong's room three times to persuade him. I told him that since he had served as the party's floor leader and Deputy Speaker, he should take responsibility when the party is in difficulty." He revealed, "(Deputy Speaker Jeong) stubbornly refused, even smoking cigarettes again after quitting for four years, but finally agreed."

Regarding the issue of holding concurrent positions, he explained, "There is a precedent where a former Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly also served as the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson. Jeong Ui-hwa (former chairperson) held the position before, and Park Joo-sun also served as the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson of the Bareunmirae Party." He added that there are no restrictions on qualifications for the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson in the party's constitution and regulations.

Deputy Speaker Jeong had previously engaged in verbal disputes with former party leader Lee Jun-seok. Floor Leader Kwon said, "Any party member can criticize the leader's behavior. Saying that criticism disqualifies someone from serving as the Emergency Response Committee Chairperson is an excessively narrow view from former leader Lee."

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