[Ainews24 reporter Park Jung-min] Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the ruling party People’s Power Party, who is in conflict with the “difficult areas and non-candidacy” innovation plan, met with In Yo-han, the chairman of the Innovation Committee, for 42 minutes on the 17th. Representative Kim Ki-hyun ordered In Yo-han, “Give me your honest opinion without reservation.” Chairman In replied, “I will continue to provide constructive criticism.”
Park Jung-ha, the chief spokesperson of the People’s Power Party, met with reporters at the party’s headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul on the same day after the meeting between In Yo-han and Kim Ki-hyun, explaining, “Today’s meeting was an opportunity to reaffirm the purpose and trust in the establishment and activities of the Innovation Committee.” The two had a conversation from 9:30 am to 10:12 am, lasting 42 minutes.
According to spokesperson Park, Representative Kim Ki-hyun expressed his gratitude to Chairman In Yo-han, saying, “I thanked you for creating a successful model for the Innovation Committee, unlike in the past, and I hope you will continue to provide the committee with your unbiased opinions and ideas in the future.” In Yo-han replied, “I will continue to provide the party with constructive criticism, even if it is painful, for the development of the party and our politics.”
Spokesperson Park explained regarding the question of whether there was a discussion about the “difficult areas and non-candidacy” issue, “There were no specific details, and as I mentioned earlier, the intention was to speak about any painful opinions needed by the party in an innovative and unbiased manner.” He also stated that there was no mention of the remarks related to the “presidential signal” by Chairman In Yo-han.
It seems that the dissatisfaction of the members of the Innovation Committee towards the party leadership was conveyed during the meeting. Kim Kyung-jin, the spokesperson (innovation committee member) of the Innovation Committee, who was with spokesperson Park, explained, “I also conveyed words about the dissatisfied thoughts of some members of the Innovation Committee,” and added, “There was also a message expressing the hope that the decisions (innovation plans) made by the Innovation Committee would be more actively and promptly accepted by the party.” Spokesperson Park added, “There is mutual understanding and effort regarding the ideas, principles, and intentions of the Innovation Committee, and we will strive for their realization.”
However, the possibility of additional meetings is uncertain. Kim Kyung-jin, the spokesperson, distanced himself from the question of whether there are plans for additional meetings, saying, “The process of innovation is a painful one from the perspective of the party. If we understand the party’s position too well, it can limit the proposals from the Innovation Committee,” and added, “There is a need for restraint in that aspect unless it is a very blocked situation, although it should be discussed within the Innovation Committee.”
In Yo-han, the chairman of the Innovation Committee, and Kim Ki-hyun, the party leadership, have been in conflict recently regarding the reflection of the innovation plan. Chairman In Yo-han recently mentioned on the radio, “(From President Yoon Suk-yeol’s side) there was a signal to the party to just do what is necessary,” hinting at support for President Yoon. However, Representative Kim criticized Chairman In the day before (16th), saying, “It is not desirable to mention the president regarding internal party issues.” The presidential office stated that there was no contact with the Innovation Committee.
