Early disbandment of PPP innovation committee once considered and still a possibility “if it cannot play its part”

The People Power Party’s innovation committee admitted that in the early days following the launch of the committee, there was an opinion that the committee should close earlier than scheduled if it could not perform its original role, but added that no such discussions were ongoing at present. However, the committee did not deny such discussions, leaving room for the committee to disband early as a last resort to pressure the party. Currently, the party’s leadership, senior members, and key Yoon aides are not responding to the request for sacrifices by the innovation committee led by Ihn Yo-han.

In a notice sent to the People Power Party (PPP) reporters on November 13, committee member Kim Kyung-jin conveyed, “It is true that, in the early days following the launch of the innovation committee, members exchanged the opinion that we could consider closing early if the committee could not perform its original role, but at present, there has been no specific discussions or related agreement on ending committee activities early.” In a phone call with the press on Monday, Kim said, “Internally, members have agreed to some extent that there is no need for us to serve the full term of the innovation committee (until the end of December) if the role we play right now is not accepted very well.”

Another committee member spoke with the reporter over the phone Tuesday and said, “From what I understood, if the committee does its job and there’s nothing more to do, then it would be right to disband early. I don’t think the nuance was that we’d disband early if our recommendations were not accepted.” He argued that the committee never discussed the disbandment as an action they would take if their opinions were not accepted.

However, as the party continues to remain silent on Ihn’s demands for sacrifices, such discussions could emerge as an option to press the party leadership. Monday, some voices in the party leadership argued that they needed to show a positive response to Ihn’s requests. One official said, “(In a private meeting) there was talk that we should show a more positive response to the recommendations of the innovation committee to add weight to the recommendations.”

Ihn, along with other committee members, will go to pay his respects at the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park Tuesday and meet with the officials in the party’s Jeju office. It is seen as an extension of his efforts for “integration,” which was the first recommendation by the innovation committee.