PPP to transition into emergency leadership system after resignation of party leader Kim

강재은 / 2023-12-14 14:16:15

PPP-emergency committee

▲ Rep. Yun Jae-ok (2nd from R) walks with other members of the ruling People Power Party to attend a leadership meeting held at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 14, 2023. (Yonhap)

PPP-emergency committee

PPP to transition into emergency leadership system after resignation of party leader Kim

SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- The ruling People Power Party (PPP) will transition to an emergency leadership committee system, following the resignation of party leader Kim Gi-hyeon, the party's floor leader said Thursday.

Rep. Yun Jae-ok delivered the plan after back-to-back meetings with senior members and the party's leadership to discuss what follow-up measures the party will take after Kim's resignation.

"We came to the conclusion that it is better to quickly transition into an emergency leadership committee system, given that the current situation does not allow us to open a party convention," Yun said. "We will do our best to appoint a new emergency committee leader as soon as possible."

Yun did not mention any potential candidates but said the party is looking at various people who it deems could earn public trust, meet the eye-level of people and have the ability to bring the party to victory in the April general elections.

The committee leader does not have to be a politician, he also said.

In regard to the PPP's election nomination committee for the general elections, Yun said the party will follow party rules and form the committee by the stipulated deadline of Jan. 10.

On Wednesday, Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon announced he would step down from his post amid mounting pressure on him to resign and reform the beleaguered party ahead of April's general elections.

His resignation came after Rep. Chang Jae-won, another key heavyweight and one of President Yoon Suk Yeol's closest confidants, announced he would give up his bid for reelection.

Kim had spent only nine months as the party's leader since he was elected at a convention with the support of Yoon.

Currently, Justice Minister Han Dong-hoon, the PPP's innovation committee chairman Ihn Yohan and Kim Han-gil, a veteran politician and the head of the presidential committee on national unity, have been mentioned as prospective candidates.

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