Inyo Han Issues Final Ultimatum... Ruling Party Innovation Committee at a Crossroads

Rumors of Resignation from 3 External Innovation Committee Members Arise
Even Within the Party, "Everything Must Be Let Go"

Inyo Han, the Innovation Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, announced that he will officially demand decisive actions such as withdrawal from candidacy or running in challenging districts from senior and pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) lawmakers, intensifying conflicts within the party. As tensions between the party leadership and the Innovation Committee continue, cracks are emerging in various places.

On the 24th, the People Power Party stated, "Regarding the three Innovation Committee members who were reported by some media to have expressed their intention to resign, Chairman In confirmed during a lunch meeting today that the three members have not expressed any intention to resign." This explanation came after news spread that Park So-yeon, Emma Lee, and Lim Jang-mi, Innovation Committee members who came from outside as non-politicians, had expressed their intention to resign following the Innovation Committee meeting the previous day.

According to statements from officials, during the meeting, Innovation Committee member Kim Kyung-jin reportedly said something to the effect of, "Shouldn't we help the leadership to achieve a smooth transition?" In response, external Innovation Committee members expressed the opinion that the matter should be sent to the Supreme Council without any grace period.

In Yohan, Innovation Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

It is known that a heated debate actually took place during the Innovation Committee meeting. One Innovation Committee member told this publication in a phone interview, "We have had more than ten meetings so far, but yesterday's meeting was the most intense," adding, "(The lawmakers who expressed their intention to resign) felt they had done all they could during the verbal exchanges. They implied, 'What more is there to do now?'" The member sighed, saying, "The Innovation Committee is not a decision-making body that can enforce changes; the party must accept and change somehow. The party is willing to accept, but nothing is clearly visible to the public, and there is no response to requests for sacrifices from the leadership, so it has become a strange situation."

Although the resignation controversy has been settled, the uncomfortable relationship surrounding 'sacrifice' among the Innovation Committee, the leadership, and pro-Yoon lawmakers remains ongoing. The Innovation Committee, which had requested sacrifices in the form of recommendations, has expressed its intention to formally submit an innovation plan to the party leadership if the concerned parties do not make a decision. Due to the resignation rumors of external Innovation Committee members, the committee appears to be forced into a kind of last stand.

Interpretations within the party vary. Yoon Sang-hyun, a People Power Party lawmaker, said in a BBS radio interview, "The Innovation Committee's timeline does not align with our party leadership's schedule." Yoon pointed out, "The Innovation Committee's deadline is until the 24th of next month, but important nominations happen in February and March," adding, "The talk of decisions by pro-Yoon or senior lawmakers is too early a card." He criticized, "This discussion should start from January," and said, "Pro-Yoon lawmakers and party leader Kim Ki-hyun should not appear to be pushed by the Innovation Committee but should show their own decisive, leading sacrifice and dedication, but this is not fitting together."

On the other hand, Seong Il-jong, a People Power Party lawmaker who previously served as the party's Policy Committee Chairman, reportedly said at the party's general meeting the day before, "When it's time to let go, you have to let go to win the election." In a BBS radio interview on the same day, Seong argued, "Have we ever lost an election because we were not united?" and "I think everyone in our party, including the leadership, must let go of everything and truly look at things from the perspective of victory." When asked about the possibility of forming a provisional committee, he also mentioned, "I think all methods are points we can consider."

Lee Yong, a lawmaker who served as the chief of staff during President Yoon Seok-yeol's candidacy, made a resolute remark at the general meeting, saying, "Do not shake the leadership," and "Let's maintain the Kim representative system." There is speculation that this reflects President Yoon's intentions.

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