Innovation Committee "Must Take Beatings" Pressure... Pro-Yoon Senior Lawmakers' Silence on Running in Difficult Districts

Jang Je-won and Joo Ho-young Show Determination to Defend Their Constituencies
Ruling Party Innovation Committee Faces Limitations? Early Dissolution Rumors Emerge

The People Power Party's Innovation Committee demanded that pro-Yoon Seok-yeol faction members and senior lawmakers run in challenging districts, but there has been no response within the party. With rumors of an 'early disbandment' emerging, the Innovation Committee, which has reached its limits, is drawing political attention as to what drastic measures it will take.

Currently, senior party members who have been asked to run in challenging districts are showing determination to defend their constituencies. According to a video released on June 14 on the YouTube channel 'KTN Korea TV News,' Jang Je-won, considered a key figure in the pro-Yoon Seok-yeol faction, said in a greeting at the 15th anniversary founding ceremony of the Yeowon Mountaineering Club held at the Hamyang Gymnasium in Gyeongnam on June 11, "I will not go to Seoul just to extend my petty political career."

Earlier, Representative Kim Ki-hyun also reserved his position, saying, "Everything has its time and order." Joo Ho-young, a five-term lawmaker from Daegu, stated at a legislative report meeting held at the Daegu Suseong District Office auditorium on June 8, "If you started politics in Daegu, you finish in Daegu," adding, "I will not go to Seoul."

He continued, "President Joe Biden served as a U.S. senator for 40 years; did he change his constituency?" and clearly opposed the idea by saying, "Why would someone who is supported and doing well in their district move elsewhere?"

At the launch of the Innovation Committee, Representative Kim declared, "I will give full authority," but as senior party members have not responded to the committee's demands, rumors of an 'early disbandment of the Innovation Committee' have surfaced. However, Innovation Committee Chair In Yo-han dismissed this on June 14 after paying respects at the Jeju 4·3 Peace Park, telling reporters, "This is just one opinion that came up during internal discussions."

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

Chairman In, who has continued to make strong remarks such as "We may have to take harsh measures," believes that "if given some time, there will be 100% movement." He said, "Although I did not name names, I am confident that there will definitely be movement," adding, "The reason South Korea develops quickly is because of the 'ppalli-ppalli' (hurry-hurry) culture, but we also need to know how to wait."

People Power Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung claimed that the Innovation Committee's demand for running in challenging districts is essentially President Yoon Seok-yeol's order. Ha appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the same day and said, "The majority consensus within the party is that the (non-candidacy and challenging district demands) are the president's orders," adding, "(Since senior lawmakers are not accepting the demand to run in challenging districts) the president must be having a headache."

People Power Party Deputy Spokesperson Kim Yoon-hyung argued that the senior lawmakers did not reject the Innovation Committee's demands, saying, "The clocks inside Yeouido and outside Yeouido are different." Kim appeared on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' and said, "The clocks inside Yeouido and outside Yeouido are different. Inside Yeouido, preparations for the general election are underway and busy, but outside Yeouido, the general election is still somewhat a lower priority."

Deputy Spokesperson Kim added, "Politicians must be having many concerns. They want to receive the spotlight and attention when accepting the innovation plan, but it is too early to make a decision now," and said, "I think this is just a gap caused by the difference in clocks, not a refusal to follow the Innovation Committee's recommendations."

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