In Yohan: "No 'Non-Candidacy List'... Tempted by Constituency but Did Not Run"

Controversy Over List Amid Senior Lawmakers' Silence on Innovation Plan
Revealed in Meeting with Reporters After Jeju Visit
Ruling Party Must Take a Path Not Aligned with People's Opinion

In Yohan, the Innovation Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, on the 14th, strongly denied allegations that there is a list containing the names of lawmakers recommended not to run, related to the second innovation plan which includes declarations of non-candidacy by the leadership, senior members, and pro-Yoon faction lawmakers, stating, "I strongly say once again, such a thing does not exist and will not exist in the future."

After a meeting at the People Power Party Jeju Provincial Office on the same day, In told reporters when asked about the existence of a 'non-candidacy list,' "We (the Innovation Committee) are not the election committee in charge of election measures, and making such a list is an inappropriate act for us," expressing this view.

Inyohan, Chairman of the People Power Party Innovation Committee, is entering the meeting room at the Jeju City Yeondong branch office of the People Power Party Jeju Provincial Party on the morning of the 14th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, the controversy over the list arose when Chairman In mentioned that if there is no response within the party regarding the second innovation plan, there could be 'drastic measures.' In said in a media interview the previous day, "To put it bluntly, 'Do you want to drink milk, or do you want to get hit a bit and then drink milk?'" and "If it really doesn't work, drastic measures will come out." This led to interpretations that In had prepared a non-candidacy list in advance, but he actively denied this.

However, those within the party who were recommended not to run or to run in difficult constituencies have yet to respond. Nevertheless, Chairman In appeared to take a step back on this day. He said, "There are many National Assembly schedules until early December, so we have to wait a bit," adding, "You all are too hasty. Your enthusiasm is very good."

Still, In reiterated pressure by saying, "The People Power Party must quickly move in the right direction to avoid getting hit," and "Ultimately, it means not to get hit by the public's criticism."

Regarding rumors that he would run in Seodaemun-gu, he drew a clear line, saying, "I have been tempted by many to run in a constituency, but I will not run." Due to his long career working at Yonsei Severance Hospital located in Seodaemun-gu, the People Power Party had actually considered Chairman In as a talent recruitment candidate to run in Seodaemun-gu for the general election.

He also clearly drew a line regarding the early dissolution of the Innovation Committee. Innovation Committee member Kim Kyung-jin told reporters on the same day, "There were members with such opinions in the early days, but there has been no concrete discussion so far," dismissing the idea.

Regarding opinions that former leader Lee Jun-seok should take a role in the election committee, Chairman In said, "I am not a person with the authority to make that decision," but added, "My door is always open. I have opened the door to dialogue wide, and anyone can meet and talk."

Meanwhile, on the same day, Heo Yong-jin, the Jeju Provincial Party Chairman, requested Chairman In to "allocate one youth proportional representation seat to Jeju in next year's general election." He also suggested to Chairman In, "If star senior members from Yeongnam go to Seoul or Gyeonggi Province, who will come to the barren land of Jeju? A star minister should come to Jeju," proposing that "Won Hee-ryong, the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and former Governor of Jeju Province, should run in Jeju."

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