Nam Hyun-woo has worked as a staff writer at The Korea Times since 2013, mostly covering business and politics. He currently belongs to the Business Desk where he covers topics such as emerging tech, AI, ICT and Korea's chaebol community. Prior to joining the team, he was the paper's correspondent for the presidential office of Korea during the Yoon Suk Yeol and Moon Jae-in administrations.
Ruling party chief resigns amid mounting doubts over leadership
People Power Party Chairman Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon walks on the tarmac of Seoul Air Base in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Monday, to see President Yoon Suk Yeol depart for a state visit to the Netherlands. Yonhap
By Nam Hyun-woo
Outgoing chairman calls for unity; PPP leadership lapses into uncertainty
Ruling People Power Party (PPP) Chairman Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon resigned, Wednesday, amid mounting calls for him to step down from the chairmanship or give up his bid for reelection in next year’s general elections.
Kim has been in the hot seat after his apparent rejection of the PPP innovation committee's recommendation that he make "a gesture of sacrifice." Amid growing conflicts between party members, PPP heavyweight Rep. Chang Je-won announced he would give up his reelection bid, Tuesday, citing the need for sacrifice, and this apparently created tremendous pressure on Kim to step down from the post.
The innovation committee had been launched to resuscitate the party's faltering support rate.
"As of today, I am stepping down from the chairmanship of the PPP," Kim wrote on Facebook.
"Despite many objections, I would like to fulfill my responsibilities by reflecting on myself for what has happened, in order to ensure the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol administration and the overall victory of the People Power Party, as they are imperative commands from a historical context," he added.
Kim said he should take the blame for criticism that the PPP is facing, and that the party should not be split over whether he should retain his post.
"I hope all of the party members have the mindset of unity and cohesion and join forces to win the hearts of the people," Kim wrote. "With the general elections coming in 119 days, I will do my best to support floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok to stabilize the party and prevent the shameless Democratic Party of Korea from controlling the National Assembly."
Kim went into seclusion in his office at the Assembly since Tuesday, canceling all of his planned public events. He did not return to his home in Seoul on Tuesday night in order to avoid reporters.
People Power Party floor leader Rep. Yun Jae-ok speaks to reporters at the National Assembly in Seoul, Wednesday, hours after the party's Chairman Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon expressed his intention to resign from the post. Yonhap
Kim did not respond to the innovation committee's call for a "gesture of sacrifice." The committee disbanded on Monday, earlier than planned and without any tangible accomplishments. As the party's factions clashed over whether the PPP chief should resign, Kim faced increased pressure to set an example for other lawmakers.
On Monday, Kim hinted that he would stay in his position, saying, “There are issues which are difficult to apply to real politics.” But a new twist was introduced on Tuesday as Rep. Chang, who commands a huge influence among the PPP's mainstream pro-Yoon faction, decided not to run for reelection.
“(The PPP’s) general election victory is a necessary condition for the success of the Yoon Suk Yeol administration,” Chang told reporters. “So I am putting the last thing I have on the line. I humbly lay myself down so that the party can roll on to achieve victory in the election, for the success of the Yoon administration.”
Chang is a three-term lawmaker and known as one of the closest aides to the president. He served as Yoon's chief of staff when he was president-elect.
People Power Party Rep. Chang Je-won bows after announcing that he will not seek reelection during a press conference at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
“Rep. Chang’s decision can be interpreted as putting pressure on Chairman Kim,” former lawmaker Kim Young-woo of the PPP said in a radio interview with MBC, Wednesday.
PPP Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo also said in an interview with broadcaster CBS, “The only option Kim has is resigning from the chairman post,” and “it will be the only way to change the current election dynamics.”
Now that Kim has chosen to resign from his post, the PPP’s leadership faces uncertainties.
Given the past cases of a leader’s absence, the party can form an emergency committee as its interim leadership or have the floor leader serve as acting chairman. However, either of the options can lead to further uncertainties as the party’s leader will soon have to recommend candidates for the general elections.
PPP Rep. Ha Tae-keung, a fringe party member who had been calling for Kim’s resignation, said in a radio interview with SBS, “The party should pool its wisdom for Kim’s exit strategy, so that he can step down from the chairmanship and run in his home turf of Ulsan.”