Ruling Party's Internal Audit Kicks Off... Diverging Views Within the Party (Comprehensive)

Seongho Lee Appointed as Chairman of Party Audit Committee
"Intends to Punish Bi-yun as an Example" Criticism
"Reorganization Needed" Voices Also Raised

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kwon Hyun-ji] The People Power Party has appointed former National Human Rights Commission Chairman Lee Seong-ho as the head of the party audit committee and is set to officially begin the party audit. While some view this as a timely move since no party audit has been conducted for over two years, concerns are rising that it may provoke conflicts between the 'pro-Yoon' and 'anti-Yoon' factions, as criticisms labeling it a 'purge of anti-Yoon members' have emerged.

At the party emergency committee meeting on the 14th, Jeong Jin-seok, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, stated, "We plan to conduct the party audit, which is stipulated in the party constitution to be held once every year," adding, "The reorganization of 66 suspended local party branches and the regular party audit are fundamental tasks for the party."

Lee, who has been newly appointed as the head of the party audit committee, is a graduate of the 12th class of the Judicial Research and Training Institute and served as a judge for over 30 years, including as the chief judge of the Seoul Central District Court. He was appointed as the 7th chairman of the National Human Rights Commission during the Park Geun-hye administration and served for three years.

Chairman Jeong said, "Lee led the Human Rights Commission for three years based on fairness, and as a result, the commission regained an A grade in the registration review from 2014 to 2015," adding, "By appointing Lee, who has practiced fairness and justice, as the head of the party audit committee, we aim to set the People Power Party straight and make it a dynamic party."

Since the party audit requires a public announcement of detailed plans at least 60 days before implementation, considering the actual audit period, the party convention may be postponed until mid-next year. Senior spokesperson Park Jeong-ha responded to related questions by saying, "The timing of the party convention has not been discussed," and added, "It will be linked to the appointment of additional party audit committee members and related discussions."

Within the party, while some sympathize with the emergency committee's rationale that a 'mid-term check' is necessary due to the lack of audits so far, there are also many suspicions that this is a 'purge of anti-Yoon members.' A ruling party lawmaker who requested anonymity criticized, "It seems like they want to make an example out of those who do not align with the 'pro-Yoon' movement."

On the other hand, the pro-Yoon faction supports the need for the party audit. A senior pro-Yoon lawmaker said, "To hold a new party convention, it is necessary to reorganize the ranks. I don't know where the criticism is coming from, but many local branches have been suspended for quite some time, so there is a need to reorganize the organization." This raises concerns that the audit could exacerbate internal conflicts between the pro-Yoon and anti-Yoon factions.

However, there are also voices criticizing whether it is appropriate for a temporary organization like the emergency committee to conduct the party audit. A first-term lawmaker said, "There are skeptical views on whether it is right to conduct the party audit under the emergency committee system, but ultimately, it will depend on how fairly it is conducted."

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