The Ruling Innovation Committee Publicly Criticizes Kim Young-joo, Song Young-gil, and Lee Sang-min... "We Will Correct Wrong Behaviors"

"Give Up Privileges"
Shouting at Bimyeong Faction, "Encouraging Party Division"
Repeated Demand to Renounce Immunity Privileges

The Innovation Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea pointed out the party's internal perceptions that are out of touch with public sentiment and pledged to narrow this gap. To this end, they argued that it is necessary for lawmakers to relinquish their vested interests, such as the previously proposed 'waiver of immunity from arrest.' Public criticism was also directed at Kim Young-joo, the recently controversial Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, former party leader Song Young-gil, as well as lawmaker Lee Sang-min, who has been vocal with various harsh criticisms of the party.

Kim Eun-kyung, chair of the Innovation Committee, stated during a public speech at the 6th Innovation Committee meeting held on the 6th at the Democratic Party Central Office in Yeouido, Seoul, "Over the past two weeks, our Innovation Committee has analyzed numerous reports and data concerning the Democratic Party," and pointed out, "There is a significant gap between the disappointment the public feels toward the Democratic Party and the perception party insiders have of themselves."

Kim Eun-kyung, Chair of the Innovation Committee, is speaking at the 6th meeting held on the 6th at the Central Party Office in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Chair Kim diagnosed, "While resting on vested interests, they do not seem desperate about the public's political distrust and disgust, nor the party's crisis," adding, "Moreover, some party members have been inciting division by mentioning defections, new parties, and splits within the party." He also criticized Deputy Speaker Kim, who recently caused controversy with text messages planning a trip to Japan during a plenary session, saying, "Some lawmakers have failed to fulfill their role as legislators and have shown complacent and duplicitous attitudes in the plenary hall, leading to criticism." He continued, "We will correct the Democratic Party's wrong behaviors that are disconnected from public sentiment and reduce that gap and disparity."

Innovation Committee member Seo Bok-kyung also mentioned party lawmakers that day, saying, "Looking at the Democratic Party recently, especially those in responsible positions, I don't understand why they are acting this way." He said, "I cannot understand why it took Deputy Speaker Kim several days to apologize," and targeted former Democratic Party leader Song Young-gil, saying, "Fight the prosecution in court." He then urged lawmaker Lee Sang-min, "Isn't it inappropriate to just watch the fire next door?" and requested, "Please be more careful with your words."

Innovation Committee member Kim Nam-hee said, "A decision to relinquish vested interests for the greater good is necessary," adding, "It seems the party has set up the Innovation Committee but is just watching it as if it were someone else's business." He emphasized, "Stop treating it like watching a fire across the river and seriously consider and respond to the Innovation Committee's agenda."

Park Kwang-on, Floor Leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is talking with Song Ki-heon, Deputy Floor Leader, at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

They also reiterated the Innovation Committee's first reform proposal, the 'waiver of immunity from arrest.' The Innovation Committee announced its first reform proposal on the 23rd of last month, and the party leadership only stated on the 26th of the same month, "We respect the Innovation Committee's proposal to waive immunity from arrest" and "We will gather the consensus of our members." However, no discussion on immunity from arrest took place at subsequent party meetings.

On this day, Innovation Committee member Yoon Hyung-jung said, "The Innovation Committee proposed to give up immunity from arrest," and criticized, "To the public, the Democratic Party looks no different from a sword-wielding prosecutor or an armored party." He added, "We cannot afford to fail again," and reiterated the demand to accept the Innovation Committee's proposal. He also said, "The Democratic Party must fight harder. But it must fight properly," emphasizing, "We must fight with ideology, policies, and values."

Newly joined Innovation Committee member Lee Jin said, "The public wants the party to boldly and clearly voice their concerns on behalf of the people against the ruling government that is running roughshod, and to pay closer attention to the lives of the people," adding, "We intend to find, reveal, acknowledge, and resolve the Democratic Party's latent problems."

Innovation Committee member Park Sung-jin also said, "Where the Democratic Party should be is the semi-basement room where the Songpa three women lived in 2014, the row house where the Suwon three women lived in 2022, and right next to the fish market merchants who are fearful because of Fukushima contaminated water," emphasizing, "The Democratic Party should be right next to the common people."

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