'Gwanjeo Yoon Haekgwan' Jang Je-won and Kwon Seong-dong Withdraw... Ruling Party Study Group Launched

Number of Lawmakers Expressing Willingness to Participate Resembles General Assembly
Next Party Leadership Candidates Likely to Attend Meeting

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] A study group involving more than half of the current members of the People Power Party is set to launch soon. Initially, it was planned to start under the name "Mindeulle (Minshim Deureobollae)," but it was suspected of being factional politics.

The group has changed its name to "National Sympathy" and is preparing for its first lecture on the 7th. Representative Lee Cheol-gyu is serving as the chief secretary, with Representatives Kim Jeong-jae, Park Soo-young, and Yoo Sang-beom participating as secretaries. Lee is one of the four members reportedly having dinner at the presidential residence before the ruling party leadership, and all other participating members are well-known pro-Yoon faction figures.

Since the study group was controversial for being composed of pro-Yoon faction members, Representatives Kwon Seong-dong, Yoon Han-hong, and Jang Je-won, who dined together at the presidential residence, decided not to participate. Prior to the launch of Mindeulle, then floor leader Kwon Seong-dong publicly opposed the group. In response, Representative Jang Je-won officially declared he would not participate.

While National Sympathy emphasizes that it is simply a study group, the large number of participating members could influence the next party leadership candidates. Representatives Kim Ki-hyun and Ahn Cheol-soo, who are mentioned as potential next party leaders, are known to be participating in this group.

However, there is concern within the party that it might be perceived as factionalization. Representative Yoo Sang-beom, who serves as a secretary, said in a phone interview, "Since it is an open group, anyone can attend the study sessions anytime without having to register as a member."

Representative Lee Yong-ho, who originally intended to serve as a secretary but declined, said on a radio show that day, "If it reaches this scale, with many participants comparable to a party meeting, would it really become a faction? Since everyone has different thoughts, factionalization would require about 20 to 30 members with cohesion leading the whole group."

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