Seoul: Disarray in the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) showed signs of deepening Monday, as the head of the committee to reform the conservative party abruptly stepped down, citing a clash with the party leadership over personnel reshuffle. The PPP has been in political limbo since former President Yoon Suk Yeol was ousted over his failed martial law bid and a defeat in the presidential election last month.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo, a software mogul who voted in favor of Yoon's impeachment, was tapped to head the committee to reform the party five days ago. However, Ahn announced he would quit and declare his candidacy for the party's leader at the upcoming national convention, expected to take place in August. "I refuse to accept an innovation committee that was appointed without consensus," Ahn told reporters. He further stated, "I accepted the proposal for the committee chair out of a sense of desperation for the party, but I ran into a huge wall even before opening the door to reform."
Ahn expressed frustration over the PPP's emergency leadership committee's rejection of his repeated calls for a personnel shake-up. He also criticized the interim leadership's appointment of six members to the innovation committee, asserting he had not agreed on the lineup. Initially, the PPP's interim leadership committee planned to delay approving the list of innovation committee members, as the seven-member lineup had not yet been finalized. However, they decided to approve and announce the appointment of six members first.
Rep. Song Eon-seog, floor leader of the PPP, expressed his surprise at Ahn's decision, telling reporters that he was "perplexed" by Ahn's move. Song also disputed Ahn's claim about a clash over the personnel reshuffle, suggesting that the party's leadership could still adhere to a decision made by the innovation committee.