Kim Eun-kyung's Tongue Trouble and Innovation Committee's 'Dissolution Theory'... Will the 'Belated Apology' Have an Effect?

In the wake of Kim Eun-kyung, the Innovation Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, facing consecutive verbal controversies, calls for the 'dissolution of the Innovation Committee' have emerged from within the party. Even Yoo In-tae, a senior figure and former Secretary-General of the National Assembly, has urged Kim to resign and called for the committee's disbandment. However, Kim has firmly stated that there will be no resignation and appears to be aiming for a direct breakthrough through an official apology.

On the 3rd, Yoo, on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' said, "(If Kim does) not resign, will the authority of the Innovation Committee stand?" He added, "I think it would be better to dissolve the Innovation Committee. (Kim) should just say sorry and resign. Besides, who would you bring in as the new Innovation Committee Chair now?"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 30th of last month, during a roundtable with youth, Kim introduced the idea of 'Yeomyeong proportional voting' for children, calling it "very rational," which sparked controversy over ageist remarks. Kim delayed a direct apology but officially apologized to reporters in front of the Democratic Party headquarters in Yeouido that morning. Regarding the resignation rumors circulating within the party, she dismissed them, saying, "The will for innovation remains unchanged."

However, the negative perception caused by her verbal controversies is likely to affect the Innovation Committee's future activities. Yoo recently criticized the committee for sending friendly letters to lawmakers to conduct an 'innovation opinion poll,' saying, "What good comes from immature people repeatedly doing such things? They should grow up." He added, "What kind of survey is an immature person sending out, and why do they keep trying to do more?" This was a pointed remark referring to Kim's comment at a dialogue event with Gangwon residents the previous day, where she said, "As a professor, I was immature and did not understand political language well."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min expressed concern about the impact of Kim's remarks on the Innovation Committee's credibility. On the previous day’s CBS program 'Park Jae-hong's One-on-One,' Kim said, "To make people accept the innovation plan, trust management is necessary. People need to believe in that person. But trust keeps breaking due to various controversies unrelated to the essence of the innovation plan." He added, "I am worried about this Innovation Committee."

Within the ruling party, although Kim apologized, there are criticisms that the belated apology lacks sincerity. Kim Min-su, spokesperson for the People Power Party, said in a statement that day, "Who could feel sincerity from an apology that came only after four days and was just a few lines read out as a formality?" He criticized, "This is not a matter to be glossed over with crocodile tears and a fake apology." Former People Power Party emergency committee member Kim Jong-hyuk also pointed out on his social media, "You really can't die yet, huh?" and said, "If this is an apology, even flies would be new."

The Innovation Committee plans to continue its organization until early to mid-next month to prepare the innovation plan. Kim Nam-hee, spokesperson for the Innovation Committee, said on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "We will present bold innovation plans and take a more proactive role." She added, "Our term is not fixed, but we aim to complete the work by early to mid-September, after which it will be the party's responsibility."

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