Kim Ki-hyun on Innovation Committee's Recommendation Not to Run: "Hasty Decisions Cause Indigestion," Enters Deliberation Phase

In Yohan's 2nd Innovation Plan Reported to the Supreme Council Today (9th)
Recommendation for Senior and Pro-Yoon Members Not to Run Excluded
Kim: "Everything Has Its Time and Order"

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, said regarding the Innovation Committee's recommendation that the party leadership and senior members refrain from running for office, "There is a time and order for everything."

On the afternoon of the 9th, after a party members' meeting at the National Assembly, Kim responded to reporters' questions about the innovation proposal by saying, "There is a time and order for everything, but looking at recent media reports, it seems like things are moving too hastily."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim added, "If you eat too quickly, you are likely to get indigestion," and said, "Let's watch carefully."

Earlier, on the 3rd, the People Power Party Innovation Committee presented an innovation proposal recommending that the party leadership, senior lawmakers, and so-called 'Pro-Yoon' figures declare their withdrawal from the general election or run in difficult constituencies such as the metropolitan area.

At the party's Supreme Council meeting held that morning, the Innovation Committee reported its second innovation proposal, which included adjusting the number of National Assembly members and excluding the bottom 20% of incumbent lawmakers from party nominations. Park Jeong-ha, chief spokesperson for the People Power Party, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting, "There was a report on reducing the number of National Assembly members by 10%, waiving immunity from arrest, reducing or revoking salaries, and conducting evaluations of incumbent lawmakers," adding, "Innovation Committee member Oh Shin-hwan requested amendments to the party constitution and regulations for parts that can be implemented before legislation, aiming to complete the innovation proposal through legislation."

However, there was no report on the highly sensitive issue of the candidacy of senior Pro-Yoon lawmakers. Spokesperson Park said, "There was no report on senior members running in difficult constituencies," and "It was not mentioned verbally either."

Previously, on the 3rd, In Yo-han, chairman of the People Power Party Innovation Committee, held a briefing after the committee meeting and said, "We strongly urge the party leadership, senior members, and those close to the president to either refrain from running in the general election or decide to run in difficult constituencies such as the metropolitan area." However, this was not a resolution of the Innovation Committee but took the form of a recommendation from Chairman In. Therefore, this part was omitted from the Supreme Council report that day.

Spokesperson Park said, "The Supreme Council fully sympathizes with the purpose of the Innovation Committee and respects its intentions," adding, "We will comprehensively review the Innovation Committee's intentions and provide an appropriate stance." However, he explained, "(Regarding the innovation proposal) procedures are necessary," saying, "Adjusting the number of lawmakers or reducing salaries requires legislation, but within the party, changes to the number of lawmakers or salary reductions must go through a party members' meeting. Excluding the bottom 20% of lawmakers from nominations also requires practical review by the general election planning team." This means that internal party consensus and legislative procedures must accompany these measures. Regarding the party leadership's position on this matter, Spokesperson Park said, "We will comprehensively review and respond when the Innovation Committee's resolution is finalized."

In particular, Chief Spokesperson Park added regarding the demands for the leadership, senior members, and Pro-Yoon faction lawmakers to run in difficult constituencies, "Since the parties involved are present, time is needed," and "This is not something that the leadership can decide immediately; it requires some time." Kim Kyung-jin, an Innovation Committee member, told reporters after the Innovation Committee meeting that afternoon, "Chairman In Yo-han mentioned in some media interviews that he personally called some lawmakers," and "It is expected to be formally submitted to the Supreme Council later."

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