Divided assessment over Rep. Ahn Cheol-soo’s remarks

“It is not decent to denounce the committee for innovation.”

Announcing the 9th draft for innovation on Friday, innovation chief Kim Sang-gon of New Politics Alliance for Democracy (NPAD) gave a direct hit to lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo who said on Wednesday that “The committee for innovation has failed.” Kim pointed out by saying that “He was rash, rude and irresponsible to say so as Ahn shares responsibility for the party’s crisis as a co-representative.”

Imminent to the end of committee’s work, internal assessment over its performance seems to be divided in the party. “It’s regretful to hear Ahn say that the committee has failed when the committee is still on the go,” another innovation lawmaker Woo Won-sik said.

The committee revealed that “a newly-formed ‘Representatives Committee” consists of 11 lawmakers in total which include a representative from the party, five representatives from five regions, four representatives of women, the youth, labor and public, and an ex officio floor leader.” The committee plans to announce the last innovation draft as for nomination reform on Monday.

Political camps that don’t support Roh Moo-hyun defended Ahn. “We positively assess how Ahn assessed the committee. It should have made more innovation,” floor leader Lee Jong-geol contended. “The committee has failed to go to the core of problems,” added lawmaker Park Yeong-seon.

Under the circumstances, a heated-discussion is expected at the party’s Central Committee on September 16 when the innovation draft will be resolved. “Bitter criticism is likely to be directed to Chairman Moon Jae-in as he took the initiative in forming the committee,” said a party official.

The second daughter of an independent lawmaker Cheon Jeong-bae who is pushing ahead with a new political party is getting married in Seocho-gu, Seoul on next Saturday. The attention is being paid whether Chairman Moon will attend the wedding ceremony.