It is time for PPP to apologize for past misdeeds
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has been entangled in an internal dispute, prompted by interim leader Kim Chong-in's plan to make a formal apology for the misdeeds of imprisoned former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye.
In the face of strong resistance from some hardline lawmakers, Kim decided to postpone his apology until after the ongoing regular National Assembly session. At first, he was expected to make the apology Dec. 9, on the fourth anniversary of the impeachment of former President Park.
Party insiders said the postponement came as part of efforts to cope with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) political offensives. The DPK has been attempting to unilaterally pass a package of controversial bills including one for the establishment of an independent body to investigate high-ranking officials. Some PPP hardliners said this was not the right time to highlight the wrongdoings of the former presidents. Both Lee and Park belonged to the predecessor of the current main opposition party.
PPP Rep. Chang Je-won launched an attack on Kim, saying, "It is an apparent abuse of power for Kim to press for the apology despite objections from a large number of party lawmakers." He went on to say that the PPP was not Kim's private party. Chang also cited procedural flaws in pushing for the apology. "There has been no attempt to convene a general meeting of party members (to discuss the matter)."
Another PPP lawmaker, Bae Hyun-jin, echoed Chang, saying, "Kim led the DPK's emergency committee in 2016 and helped it garner 123 seats in the general election, laying the ground for Moon Jae-in to win the presidential election the next year." Bae called on Kim to first apologize over his role in creating the Moon administration.
However, Kim has refused to back down, despite the resistance. "Without an apology, there is no meaning for me in keeping the post of interim leader," he said. Kim has been the target of complaints within the PPP since he took office.
Kim's apology plan has gained momentum with several stalwart politicians joining him. Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong agreed on the need for an apology. "We have failed to do so over the past four years. We must seek a pardon from the people and not repeat the same mistakes," he said.
The conservative PPP should reflect on itself and make a new start after apologizing for the misdeeds committed by the two former heads of state and other party members. The PPP's approval rating climbed to 31.2 percent in a survey by Realmeter earlier this month, outpacing the DPK's 28.9 percent.
But the party should remember the rising support is primarily due to the declining support for Moon and the governing DPK amid a series of policy failures, coupled with the ongoing feud between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. It is not because the PPP is doing well. It is time for the PPP to be more humble and apologize for its past wrongdoings. This is the only way for it to regain public trust and emerge as a sound and stronger opposition party.
The main opposition People Power Party (PPP) has been entangled in an internal dispute, prompted by interim leader Kim Chong-in's plan to make a formal apology for the misdeeds of imprisoned former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye.
In the face of strong resistance from some hardline lawmakers, Kim decided to postpone his apology until after the ongoing regular National Assembly session. At first, he was expected to make the apology Dec. 9, on the fourth anniversary of the impeachment of former President Park.
Party insiders said the postponement came as part of efforts to cope with the ruling Democratic Party of Korea's (DPK) political offensives. The DPK has been attempting to unilaterally pass a package of controversial bills including one for the establishment of an independent body to investigate high-ranking officials. Some PPP hardliners said this was not the right time to highlight the wrongdoings of the former presidents. Both Lee and Park belonged to the predecessor of the current main opposition party.
PPP Rep. Chang Je-won launched an attack on Kim, saying, "It is an apparent abuse of power for Kim to press for the apology despite objections from a large number of party lawmakers." He went on to say that the PPP was not Kim's private party. Chang also cited procedural flaws in pushing for the apology. "There has been no attempt to convene a general meeting of party members (to discuss the matter)."
Another PPP lawmaker, Bae Hyun-jin, echoed Chang, saying, "Kim led the DPK's emergency committee in 2016 and helped it garner 123 seats in the general election, laying the ground for Moon Jae-in to win the presidential election the next year." Bae called on Kim to first apologize over his role in creating the Moon administration.
However, Kim has refused to back down, despite the resistance. "Without an apology, there is no meaning for me in keeping the post of interim leader," he said. Kim has been the target of complaints within the PPP since he took office.
Kim's apology plan has gained momentum with several stalwart politicians joining him. Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong agreed on the need for an apology. "We have failed to do so over the past four years. We must seek a pardon from the people and not repeat the same mistakes," he said.
The conservative PPP should reflect on itself and make a new start after apologizing for the misdeeds committed by the two former heads of state and other party members. The PPP's approval rating climbed to 31.2 percent in a survey by Realmeter earlier this month, outpacing the DPK's 28.9 percent.
But the party should remember the rising support is primarily due to the declining support for Moon and the governing DPK amid a series of policy failures, coupled with the ongoing feud between Justice Minister Choo Mi-ae and Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. It is not because the PPP is doing well. It is time for the PPP to be more humble and apologize for its past wrongdoings. This is the only way for it to regain public trust and emerge as a sound and stronger opposition party.
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