'Debut of the "Kim Ki-hyun 2nd Term Leadership" Amid the "Doro Yeongnamdang" Controversy'

"Emphasizing 'Humbly Accepting the People's Will as a Death Blow for Innovation'"
Criticism Continues with Party's Top 3 Executives from Yeongnam Saying "Unable to Expand Territory"
Yoon Jae-ok Explains "Difficult to Find a Practically Suitable Person"

The second leadership team under Representative Kim Ki-hyun, launched after the People Power Party's crushing defeat in the 'October 10-11 Seoul Gangseo District Mayor By-election' and the complete overhaul of major appointed party officials, held its debut on the 17th. With all three key party executives in the second leadership team being lawmakers from the Yeongnam region, criticism of the party being a 'Yeongnam Party again' poured in from both inside and outside the party. In response, these appointed party officials collectively promised party reform aimed at winning next year's general election.

Lee Man-hee (re-elected, Yeongcheon City and Cheongdo County, Gyeongbuk), appointed as the new Secretary-General, said at the National Assembly's National Audit Countermeasures Meeting held that day, "I humbly accept the public's warning that the party must change and will focus on implementing the three major innovations and six practical tasks for change and innovation, which are the party's immediate challenges." As this was his first official meeting, Secretary-General Lee also expressed his thoughts, saying, "I feel a heavy responsibility in taking on this important and honorable party position, but I will do my best to fulfill the role of Secretary-General so that our party regains the trust of the people and becomes a united party again."

Yoon Jae-ok, Floor Leader of the People Power Party, Yoo Ui-dong, Chairman of the Policy Committee, and Lee Man-hee, Secretary-General, are attending the National Assembly inspection countermeasure meeting held at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Yoo Ui-dong, the newly appointed Policy Committee Chairperson, also emphasized at the meeting, "We will not ignore the public's warning," adding, "We will look at things from the perspective of the people, who are the recipients of policies, and reflect on ourselves." Yoo said, "We will carefully understand the direction indicated by public sentiment, communicate closely with the government, and coordinate meticulously," and added, "Rather than blaming anyone, we will engage in dialogue and persuasion to reach compromises."

Inside and outside the party, criticism of the recent party appointments continues, with accusations of mere 'reshuffling.' The appointment of a lawmaker from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region as Secretary-General, who is responsible for the practical work of next year's general election nominations, is seen as diminishing the meaning of personnel reform. The controversy intensified after an SNS message was revealed suggesting that Park Dae-chul, the former Policy Committee Chairperson, would be appointed as the next Secretary-General. Former Representative Lee Jun-seok criticized in an SBS radio interview that day, "I acknowledge that there are no suitable people in the metropolitan area, but this problem arises because instead of expanding the scope, they try to use only those within their own circle." Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also pointed out on CBS radio, "Everything should be viewed based on whether the relationship between the party and the president fundamentally changes and whether the appointments reflect that standard. From that perspective, these people seem the same to me."

In response, Yoon Jae-ok, the floor leader of the People Power Party, explained to reporters after the Supreme Council meeting that day, "We tried to balance regional representation for the Secretary-General position, but realistically, it was difficult to find a suitable person." Yoon added, "I understand that Representative Kim Ki-hyun tried hard to allocate many positions centered on the metropolitan area," and explained, "Since the representative and I were elected, regional balancing adjustments were impossible, and as you know, both the Secretary-General and the Policy Committee Chairperson are moderate figures who can represent the metropolitan area."

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