Kim Ki-hyun: "At least 30 or more seats must be reduced... Apologize for internal party noise"

Ahead of the Full Committee, We Must Examine Whether '300 Seats' Is an Absolute Number
Measures Needed for Repeated Misstatements Such as Ethics Committee Formation and Penalty Scoring

Kim Gi-hyeon, leader of the People Power Party, stated on the 6th that discussions should be held on a plan to reduce the number of lawmakers by at least 30 seats ahead of the National Assembly's plenary committee meeting. This is the first time the People Power Party leadership has expressed a position regarding the electoral system reform discussions taking place ahead of next year's general election.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Kim emphasized, "The standard for all judgments is public sentiment," adding, "The people are saying that the number of lawmakers should be reduced."

He continued, "We need to consider that the Constituent Assembly started with 200 seats, and the Constitution also stipulates 200 or more, setting it at 200," and said, "We need to examine whether the current 300 seats is an absolute number."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He went on to say, "We can reduce at least 30 seats," and added, "In a situation where trust in the National Assembly is not being restored, proposing electoral reform without relinquishing privileges for the sake of restoring trust is not respectful to the people."

Additionally, Kim apologized for the recent controversies caused by repeated inappropriate remarks within the party.

At the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Kim said, "I feel sorry to the public and party members as the reform will seems to be fading due to unfortunate noise. I feel a very heavy sense of responsibility as the party leader."

Kim emphasized, "Key members leading the party are repeatedly engaging in actions that do not meet the public's expectations. This must not happen again," and said, "I will exercise the party leader's authority more strictly." Recently, Kim Jae-won, senior Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, caused controversy by belittling the April 3rd commemoration as a low-level memorial day, making disparaging remarks about the May 18th Gwangju Uprising, and making statements such as 'Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon’s right-wing unification of the world,' which ran counter to public sentiment. Supreme Council member Jo Su-jin also faced public backlash after revealing that discussions were held on a 'finishing a bowl of rice' campaign as a rice consumption measure the day before.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

As support ratings sharply declined due to the leadership’s inappropriate remarks, Kim proposed measures including the swift formation of the Central Party Ethics Committee and assigning penalty points during future qualification evaluations. Kim said, "The party is currently in an emergency situation. We must approach the general election with a resolute determination," and urged, "As a responsible ruling party, we must unite humbly with a lower posture to revive the livelihood of the people."

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