Kim Yongtae: "Two Innovation Committees Have Failed, Leadership Lacks Will... 'Martial Law Supporters' and 'Impeachment Opponents' Must Be Separated"

People Power Party Halts Discussion on 'Yoon Heesook Innovation Plan' on the 23rd
Kim Yongtae: "They Dislike Reform, Preferring to Let Sleeping Dogs Lie"
On Jeon Hangil's Factionalization: "Opposing Impeachment Does Not Mean Supporting Martial Law"

The People Power Party was scheduled to discuss party reform measures at a general assembly of lawmakers on the 23rd. However, the discussion was halted when Yoon Heesook, the chairperson of the Innovation Committee, was absent from the meeting. Commenting on the situation, Kim Yongtae, a former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said, "It is natural for innovation to be difficult and for conflicts to arise, but it seems that even the existence of conflict is something lawmakers do not want. In the end, I wonder if they simply think, 'Let sleeping dogs lie,' and are reluctant to pursue real reform."

Kim Yongtae, former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In an interview with YTN Radio's "Shin Yul's News Frontline" on the 23rd, Kim said, "When I was the Emergency Response Committee Chairman, the floor leader also created an innovation committee and promised to come up with various reform measures, so I respected the sincerity of that effort. Even then, I pointed out that the structure made it difficult for past innovation committees to succeed, and I tried to persuade them by saying, 'We will push ahead with reform measures,' but it didn't work out well." He continued, "I tried to believe in the sincerity of the innovation committee, but seeing two innovation committees (Ahn Cheolsoo and Yoon Heesook) appear to have failed, I now wonder if the leadership has any real will for reform."

He added, "After talking with lawmakers who attended the general assembly, I heard not hope, but a deep sense of despair. Many lawmakers told me they had not realized just how little will for reform our party has, and that they felt very hopeless. It is truly a regrettable situation."

Former President Yoon Seokyeol is watching "Fraudulent Election, God's Work?" at a theater in Seoul last May. From left, PD Lee Youngdon, former President Yoon, and Mr. Jeon Hangil. Photo by Yonhap News

Regarding Jeon Hangil, a former Korean history lecturer who recently joined the People Power Party and has voiced support for former President Yoon Seokyeol, Kim said, "There is something that needs to be clearly addressed." He explained, "Those who opposed the impeachment (of former President Yoon) at the time did so out of genuine conviction. Those who opposed impeachment are by no means supporters of martial law. They absolutely opposed martial law, but they felt it was necessary to point out procedural issues with the Constitutional Court, which is why they opposed impeachment and why so many party members took to the streets to raise their voices."

He went on to say, "The problem is that some, including Korean history lecturer Jeon Hangil, have taken a stance that appears to support martial law and are now using those who opposed impeachment, making it seem as if supporters of martial law and opponents of impeachment are the same group. As a result, people who opposed impeachment are being portrayed as if they support martial law or are proponents of fraudulent election theories, and this phenomenon continues."

Kim also said, "I cannot agree with some lawmakers who say that 'politics is about talking with those who think differently' in response to Jeon's joining the party. If those who once supported martial law change their minds, recognize, and admit that martial law was wrong, then of course we can have dialogue. But to seek unity with people who still support martial law, without that premise? I find that difficult."

Kim emphasized, "We must separate those who supported martial law from those who opposed impeachment. The core and starting point of reform is a complete break with 'Yoon Again.' Lawmakers from the Yeongnam region also need to speak up on this issue."

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