From Reform Plan No. 1 to the Blocked Kim Eun-kyung Innovation Committee... Even Within the Opposition Party, "This Is Why It's a Shield Party"

Despite the Democratic Party's Innovation Committee proposing the 'waiver of immunity from arrest' as its first innovation measure, the motion failed to gain approval at the party's general assembly the previous day, sparking criticism within the party. Critics point out that if even the Innovation Committee's first proposal is not accepted, the committee risks becoming ineffective.

On the 14th, Democratic Party lawmaker Sang-min Lee appeared on SBS's 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show' and KBS's 'Choi Kyungyoung's Strong Current Affairs,' stating, "They should have shown a determination to do even more, but it's very disappointing and regrettable," and criticized, "What’s so great about politically pledging to waive immunity from arrest that they cling to it so dearly?"

Kim Eun-kyung, Chair of the Innovation Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending a press briefing held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The Innovation Committee, led by Eun-kyung Kim, proposed waiving immunity from arrest as its first innovation measure and requested approval, but the party's general assembly failed to endorse it the previous day. This was because of concerns that the prosecution's scrutiny is targeting the Democratic Party. Lawmaker Lee said, "I don't think that is a valid reason," adding, "Saying 'because of the prosecution' is just rhetoric that has been used repeatedly. That's why the party is called a shield party or a private party for someone," expressing his regret.

If even the first innovation proposal is not accepted, the Innovation Committee could become a nominal entity. He pointed out, "The Innovation Committee’s dignity, authority, and leadership will be completely ruined," and added, "Party members inside should actively support those outside the party who are trying to help (the Innovation Committee)."

Former Democratic Party Supreme Council member Seong-min Park also criticized via social media (SNS), saying, "Despite the Innovation Committee being formed with the determination to cut to the bone and make sacrifices, if it is reduced to a puppet, how can any citizen trust the Democratic Party's will to innovate?" He pointed out, "The party’s refusal to properly accept even the Innovation Committee’s first proposal only makes the public see the party as a vested interest group that repeats the word 'innovation' without any real will."

He added, "If innovation is rejected now and eventually only partially accepted after delayed debates, the party will face political attacks from the ruling party accusing it of 'election-driven innovation,' and the perception of the innovation group will shift from being reformers to stagnant insiders. Please do not miss the golden time for innovation within the party with urgency and desperation."

Former Supreme Council member Dong-hak Lee also criticized on SNS, saying, "If the first innovation proposal is rejected, what use are the second and third?" and "Are you going to invite external figures claiming to innovate only to turn them into puppets? Then you will be judged twice as harshly." He added, "With the Democratic Party maintaining a stance of passively waiting under the persimmon tree, relying on the massive failures of the Yoon Seok-yeol government, it will be difficult to regain public trust. While immunity from arrest may be open to political debate, selectively accepting or rejecting proposals will ultimately be seen as rejecting innovation."

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