"Inyohan Announces Overhaul 'Except Wife and Child'... Concerns Over Political Inexperience"

People Power Party Announces Launch of Reform Committee
Chairperson to Be Announced in 11 Days "Consensus on the Perspective of the Vulnerable"
Meanwhile, No Political Moves... Doubts Remain on Resolving Internal Issues

On the 23rd, the People Power Party appointed Professor In Yo-han of Yonsei University College of Medicine as the chairman of the Innovation Committee to manage the aftermath of the defeat in the Seoul Gangseo District Mayor by-election. Expectations and concerns about this appointment are mixed both inside and outside the party. While In is regarded as a suitable figure to provide direction for party reform and change, his lack of political experience raises questions about whether he can exert influence in resolving internal conflicts, including the most sensitive nomination rules ahead of next year’s general election.

The People Power Party’s Supreme Council held a meeting that morning and approved the appointment of Professor In as the Innovation Committee chairman. This appointment came 12 days after the Gangseo District Mayor by-election defeat on the 11th and 11 days after Party Leader Kim Ki-hyun announced the launch of the Innovation Committee, a party reform body.

Professor In Yo-han of Yonsei University College of Medicine, appointed as the Innovation Committee Chair of the People Power Party, is seen leaving after meeting with key party officials at the People Power Party Central Party Office in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding the background of In’s appointment, Leader Kim said, “Professor In (chairman) has profound insight and vision regarding the resolution of regionalism and national unity,” adding, “He deeply sympathizes with the need for political reform and has a strong will, so we expect him to provide the optimal prescription to rebirth the People Power Party as a more trusted political party.” Kim also stated that he would grant full authority to the Innovation Committee led by In. “The Innovation Committee will have full authority over the composition of its members, scope of activities, agenda, and duration, allowing it to make autonomous and independent decisions,” Kim said.

The internal evaluation of Chairman In is positive. In August, he gave a lecture to members of 'Gukmin Gonggam,' the largest study group of People Power Party lawmakers, which received a favorable response. A first-term lawmaker who attended the lecture said, “He seemed to have affection for our party, and his perspective on socially vulnerable groups was impressive,” adding, “I felt he had a considerable understanding of political systems and tools.”

Chairman In, the great-grandson of Eugene Bell, a 19th-century American missionary, has been engaged in education and medical activities in Korea for four generations. Born in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do, In entered Yonsei University College of Medicine in 1980 and currently serves as a professor there.

On August 23, at the People Power Party study group event 'National Sympathy' held at the National Assembly, Representative Kim Ki-hyun, Floor Leader Yoon Jae-ok, and invited lecturer Professor In Yo-han from Yonsei University College of Medicine are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Chairman In told reporters on the day, “I intend to promote (People Power Party) unity.” Regarding changes to the nomination rules for next year’s general election, he said, “Honestly, I don’t know exactly how far the Innovation Committee’s authority extends, but many people in the People Power Party must come down, listen, be willing to change, and be prepared to sacrifice.” This statement reflects the ruling party’s determination to focus on “painful reform,” including changes to the nomination rules, to secure victory in next year’s general election. He quoted the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-hee, saying, “One statement of Chairman Lee that I deeply considered was, ‘Everything must change except the wife and children,’” emphasizing, “(The People Power Party) also needs to change a lot.”

However, skepticism is not insignificant inside and outside the party. In’s political career is essentially limited to serving as vice chairman of the National Unity Committee in the 2012 presidential transition team for President Park Geun-hye. A People Power Party official said, “Everyone knows he is a well-known figure, but there is not much to evaluate regarding his (political) record,” adding, “It is questionable how well he understands internal issues and whether he truly knows which direction to take.”

Um Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, expressed concerns, saying, “Bringing in someone completely unrelated to politics makes me think this is a one-time card to be used,” and “He might not be familiar with Korean (party) politics, so there is a possibility that he will simply reflect the positions of the influential figures supporting his chairmanship.” A first-term lawmaker said, “Considering various conditions, he can be evaluated as a decent figure for the Innovation Committee chairman,” but added, “The evaluation will depend on what the first innovation proposal is and how the working members carry out the tasks.”

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