In Yohan: "If Given Time, Movement 100%... Will Lead to National Vote"

"Must Finish by Christmas"
Dismisses 'Early Termination' Rumors Before Term Ends on December 24
Visits Jeju for Unified Progress

In Yohan, chairman of the People Power Party Innovation Committee, expressed on the 14th his confidence that there will be movement regarding the party's internal silence for 11 days on the proposed innovation plan for next year's general election, which includes the non-candidacy and running in difficult districts of the leadership, senior members, and pro-Yoon faction lawmakers. He said, "If given time, I am 100% certain there will be movement," and added, "Although I did not mention names of the various groups I referred to, I am confident they will take action."

After paying respects at the Jeju 4·3 Peace Park on the same day, Chairman In told reporters, "We need to give a little more time. Thanks to Korea's 'ppalli-ppalli' (quick-quick) culture, the country has developed rapidly, but we also need to know how to wait a bit," expressing this view.

Regarding the early termination of the Innovation Committee, which surfaced the day before, he dismissed it by saying the original term (until December 24) "should be properly completed before Christmas." Earlier, several media outlets quoted Innovation Committee member Kim Kyung-jin as saying that if the innovation plan is not properly implemented, the committee might be dissolved early. In response, Kim clarified in a press release the previous day that "it is true that early in the committee's formation, there were opinions exchanged among members about considering early termination if the committee could not fulfill its original role," but "at this point, there have been no concrete discussions or agreements about early termination." However, Chairman In left some room regarding early termination by stating, "There are many opinions among innovation committee members, and those opinions can be freely expressed. I will not take a stance that prevents them from speaking."

Inyohan, Chairman of the People Power Party Innovation Committee, visited the 4·3 Peace Park in Bonggae-dong, Jeju City, on the morning of the 14th to pay respects and then answered questions from the press. 2023.11.14 [Image source=Yonhap News]

Although People Power Party leader Kim Ki-hyun offered full authority, the reason why the Innovation Committee is facing controversy over early termination is that almost no incumbent lawmakers have responded positively to the innovation plan for next year's general election, which includes the non-candidacy of senior and leadership members and pro-Yoon faction lawmakers. Pro-Yoon faction lawmaker Jang Je-won recently flaunted his strength by posting photos of his hiking club activities, which are his local support base. Meanwhile, senior Yeongnam lawmaker Joo Ho-young stated at a legislative report meeting, "If you started politics in Daegu, you should finish in Daegu," which was interpreted as a rejection of the innovation plan. So far, only lawmaker Lee Yong, who served as the campaign team leader for President Yoon Seok-yeol, has declared his candidacy in a difficult district. In a phone interview, Lee said, "Recognizing that I am a pro-Yoon faction lawmaker, I am preparing to run in Hanam, Gyeonggi Province," adding, "I originally planned to run in Songpa, but I judged that going to Gyeonggi would be better to reduce the party's burden."

Although Chairman In said he would wait for the party's internal response, he also pressured again by saying, "The whip is public opinion, and public opinion is the people," and "That whip will again lead to voting by the people."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, during his visit to Jeju, Chairman In continued his 'unification' efforts, which he has emphasized since taking office. He apologized for the controversy over remarks about the 4·3 incident made by former top party members Kim Jae-won and Tae Young-ho, which is seen as an effort to regain the trust of Jeju residents. To promote party unity, the Innovation Committee proposed as its first agenda item the lifting of disciplinary actions against former top members including Kim, and the leadership accepted this proposal. Chairman In also paid respects at the graves of the victims of the Gwangju 5·18 Democratization Movement on the 30th of last month as his first official Innovation Committee schedule.

After the visit, Chairman In said, "Today, regardless of ideology and beliefs, I learned for the first time that so many people were sacrificed," adding, "I think the political circles should do well to embrace all of that and ensure that such sacrifices never happen again on this land."

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