In Yohan Innovation Committee, How Far Does the 'Reform Blade' Go... 3 Key Points to Watch

Reform of Nomination Rules is the Biggest Concern
Will the Leadership Accept Giving Full Authority to Embrace Non-Yoon Faction Emphasizing 'Unity'?

Professor In Yohan of Yonsei University has been appointed as the Innovation Committee Chairperson of the People Power Party. He is expected to lead the ruling party's reform efforts to reverse the cold public sentiment in the metropolitan area, confirmed through the by-election defeat in Gangseo District, Seoul. Although People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun stated he would give Chairperson In 'full authority,' there are mixed concerns and expectations about how far Chairperson In, who has virtually no political experience, will wield the 'blade of reform.' With the upcoming general election next year, the nomination rules have emerged as a key agenda for the Innovation Committee, and it will be a point of interest whether the committee will present reform plans that include embracing non-Yoon factions such as Yoo Seung-min and Lee Jun-seok.

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 Office in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

①Can the nomination rules be changed?

On the 24th, the political circles identified reform of the nomination process as a major task for the Innovation Committee. People Power Party lawmaker Yoo Sang-beom said on MBC Radio that "Given that the general election is six months away, it is difficult for the Innovation Committee to handle any macro-level aspects of the party," adding, "Therefore, I agree with the assessment that the committee will bring some innovation to the most urgent issue, which is the nomination process."

However, within the party, it is believed that while the Innovation Committee may set the 'rules' for nominations, it is unlikely to directly hold the nomination rights. A lawmaker from the Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK) region said, "I don't think the chairperson knows individual lawmakers well," but added, "If the chairperson's direction is followed, there is a high possibility of laying the groundwork to create a system-based nomination process." Chief spokesperson Park Jeong-ha also told reporters the day before, "Personally, I think reform, talent recruitment, and nominations should be distinguished."

②Will they embrace the non-Yoon faction?

Improving relations with non-Yoon faction members within the party, such as former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min and former leader Lee Jun-seok, who have opposed President Yoon Seok-yeol, is also a challenge. These non-Yoon faction members have mentioned a "decision to part ways in December," fueling rumors of a new party formation. Since Chairperson In emphasized 'unity' as his inaugural message, attention is focused on whether the Innovation Committee will devise a strategy to resolve internal party conflicts ahead of next year's general election.

Former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook said on SBS Radio that "Chairperson In's current mission is to unify from those individuals (Yoo Seung-min and Lee Jun-seok) to the centrists," adding, "Ahead of the general election, the direction is to find common ground and leverage their appeal, which means not excluding them."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, and In Yo-han, professor at Yonsei University College of Medicine, are greeting each other at the study group event "National Sympathy" held at the National Assembly on August 23. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

③In Yohan's Innovation Committee: How far does full authority extend?

Chairperson In said after meeting with Leader Kim the previous day, "I was given so much authority it was almost frightening." However, since the success or failure of the reform plan ultimately depends on how much the leadership accepts it, there are voices inside and outside the party saying the plan's details need to be revealed first. A representative example is the Democratic Party's 'Kim Eun-kyung Innovation Committee,' which announced the relinquishment of parliamentary immunity as its first reform proposal but failed after the motion was not approved at the party meeting. People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung said on a broadcast that day, "(Success) is half fulfilled by Chairperson In, and the other half depends on President Yoon Seok-yeol and Leader Kim Ki-hyun helping."

The People Power Party leadership has expressed a stance of observing the Innovation Committee's composition and reform areas. Policy Committee Chair Yoo Ui-dong said on SBS Radio that "We resolved to form the Innovation Committee and said we would give full authority to the chairperson, so if there is any nitpicking or objections, how would the public perceive that? Then it would be worse than not forming the Innovation Committee at all, which is the basic thought."

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