Ha Tae-kyung: "Without Full Authority, It Is Difficult to Elect a Proper Innovation Committee Chair"

'The Second Ha Tae-kyung', Kim Ki-hyun Suggests Potential

As the People Power Party, which was defeated in the by-election for the Gangseo District Office head, moves to form an Innovation Committee, Ha Tae-kyung, a member of the People Power Party and one of the candidates mentioned for the Innovation Committee Chairperson, advised the leadership, saying, "If full authority is not given, it will be difficult to elect a proper Innovation Committee Chairperson."

On the 20th, Ha said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "That much is necessary to bring about party change," adding, "(Otherwise) the credibility of the Kim Ki-hyun leadership will further decline, so I think that level of decision must be made."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Ha is mentioned as a candidate for Innovation Committee Chairperson alongside former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook, former Prime Minister Chung Un-chan, former emergency committee chairman Kim Byung-joon, and People’s Integration Committee Chairperson Kim Han-gil.

When asked by the host, "If offered, would you accept the position?" Ha emphasized, "Several conditions are necessary," and said, "For example, do not reject decisions made by the Innovation Committee. This is the most important."

He continued, "Also, do not interfere with who I select as innovation personnel. Those two things: independence and autonomy in composition," emphasizing that it will not be like the Democratic Party’s 'Kim Eun-kyung Innovation Committee.'

He said selecting an Innovation Committee Chairperson would not be easy. Ha stated, "Innovation requires communication with the party mainstream while also delivering a strong message of change. That means the person cannot be part of the mainstream," adding, "Simply put, the person must communicate well both with those close to former leader Lee Jun-seok and with those who strongly dislike him. Doing both is very difficult."

Ha previously announced his intention to run in Seoul in next year’s general election, leaving behind his three-term constituency in Haeundae District. However, the ruling party leadership’s hoped-for 'second or third Ha Tae-kyung' has yet to emerge.

Ha emphasized that Kim, who has staked his political life on this general election, could become the second Ha Tae-kyung. He said, "Kim has even mentioned retirement from politics. I believe there is sincerity in that," adding, "With that level of determination, although it is not easy, wouldn’t he consider it with a resolve of life or death?"

He said, "If the party leader comes out in the Seoul metropolitan area, naturally the focus of his concerns will be the metropolitan area," adding, "Then there is sincerity, and the current leader is somewhat unstable, isn’t he? Public opinion is. So this could strengthen the leader’s position as well."

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