PPP innovation committee shakes at risky remarks after Ihn Yo-han mentioned “parents’ fault”

The People Power Party’s innovation committee led by Ihn Yo-han is facing a crisis. Criticism from inside the party continued after the committee chair, Ihn Yo-han (left photo) mentioned the “parents’ fault” when speaking of former party leader Lee Jun-seok (right) on November 26. This was the second slip of the tongue following the mention of “Yoon’s intentions” early this month. The committee, which has been shaky since its launch from talks about an early disbandment to rumors of committee members resigning, is now facing another huge wave.

Ihn’s remark continued to cause ripples on Monday. Lee appeared on SBS radio on November 27 and clearly showed he was offended by Ihn’s words saying, “During my twelve years in politics, I’ve never seen anyone attack another person by mentioning their parents.”

In a People Power Party (PPP) innovation training for young people and party members held in Taean, Chungcheongnam-do Sunday, Ihn said, “Jun-seoky has no morals. It’s not Jun-seok’s fault, but more his parents’ fault.” Lee Jun-seok fought back. “The so-called young people use the word ‘paedlip (Korean slang for an immoral remark)’ but is paedlip innovation?” he criticized. He also said, “Calling a politician who served as the party leader at the age of forty Jun-seoky, I mean, I have no idea where he learned his manners,” and “In a way, he’s acting like a ggondae (older people who stubbornly insist on their ways).”

People from inside the party also voiced criticism. In an interview on BBS radio Monday, lawmaker Lee Yong-ho said, “Regardless of the reason, he went too far by dragging in one’s parents to criticize an individual,” and called for Ihn to apologize. Kim Byung-min, a member of the party’s Supreme Council, also said on SBS radio, “It was inappropriate to mention his parents.”

Integration, which Ihn pulled out as an innovative agenda, seems out of the question now. Lee Jun-seok, subject to a pardon, fiercely refuted asking, “After you passionately curse someone, if you just add, ‘He’s a nice guy,’ does that solve everything?” When asked, “Does this mean unity with the PPP is out of the question?” Lee answered, “I wish the innovation committee would stop its activities.”

The innovation committee was swept up in a heated debate over its uselessness several times. On November 5, Ihn demanded the party leadership, senior members and Yoon’s key aides to refrain from running in the parliamentary elections or to run in contested districts, but was met with silence. Lawmaker Chang Je-won, one of “Yoon’s key aides,” said, “I will not go to Seoul to extend a trivial political career,” triggering complaints from the innovation committee. Some committee members even suggested that they disband early if their recommendations were not accepted.

Committee members also complained that Ihn failed to perform his role as a bridge between the party leadership and the committee by delaying the official vote on the committee’s recommendations on senior members not making a bid in the parliamentary elections or running in districts where fierce competition was expected. Recently, word got out that one committee member said, “The innovation committee is only here to buy time to maintain Kim Gi-hyeon’s leadership.” Committee members protested and rumors claimed that three expressed their intentions to resign. Earlier on November 15, Ihn appeared on YTN radio and said, “I received a sign (from the president) to follow my convictions,” stirring controversy over Yoon’s intentions.

Some people believe Ihn may opt for a strong move, such as resigning, to maintain the drive for the innovation committee. Monday, Ihn canceled a scheduled meeting with the Federation of Korean Trade Unions and an innovation committee video conference. He released a statement in the evening and said, “I think I used an immoderate expression against Lee and his parents. I extend my deepest apologies to Lee and his parents.”