Kim Seon-min, acting leader of the Jo Kuk Innovation Party, and Supreme Council members announce their resignation at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 7th, taking responsibility for the party's sexual misconduct case. Yonhap News. 

The Jo Kuk Innovation Party will transition to an emergency committee system following controversy over a sexual misconduct case within the party.

Kim Seon-min, acting leader, held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly on the 7th and announced the mass resignation of the leadership, stating, "For unsparing punishment of the perpetrator and full recovery for the victim, I and all members of the Supreme Council will step down."

He bowed his head, saying, "We have lost comrades due to our inadequate response. I once again sincerely apologize to the victims."

He added, "The Innovation Party was insufficient as a new political party. We lost time floundering without a response team or manual. We should not have done that. It was all my oversight."

He further stated, "As acting leader, I prioritized procedures and principles above all else, and failed to embrace emotional wounds beyond legal procedures. I should have taken more decisive action but did not. I sincerely apologize."

Earlier, Hwang Hyun-sun, the Secretary-General, also declared his resignation at a press conference in the morning, saying, "I cannot help but feel devastated by the series of events that have occurred in the party, including the sexual misconduct case, and I offer my apologies and condolences."

Hwang Hyun-sun, Secretary-General of the Jo Kuk Innovation Party, bows after apologizing and announcing his resignation regarding the party's sexual misconduct case at the National Assembly Communication Center in Yeouido, Seoul on the 7th. Yonhap News. 

Secretary-General Hwang stated, "Although I made every effort for the party's self-reliance, I apologize to the party members and the public for ultimately causing confusion in the party. I reiterate that the party leadership did not intentionally delay the investigation and measures to conceal the case."

He continued, "I also apologize to Director Jo Kuk, who found himself at the center of the party's internal conflict immediately after his release from prison due to my shortcomings, and to the many supporters who had expectations for Director Jo. Please retract the arrows pointed at Director Jo, who is enduring continued pain."

To the party secretariat officials, he said, "I am sorry that I could not become a shield for the officials who suffered the pain of internal party investigations and external corporate investigations amidst their relentless hard work, and who are still criticized as perpetrators despite being cleared of charges."

Lee Gyu-won, the Deputy Secretary-General, who was criticized for making secondary victimization remarks on a YouTube broadcast, also resigned on this day. Related individuals, including those present at the karaoke room where the sexual misconduct case is reported to have occurred at the end of last year, have had their party duties temporarily suspended.

Following the mass resignation of the leadership today, the party's lawmakers discussed the issue of forming an emergency committee, including the appointment of an emergency committee chairperson, at an emergency general meeting held at the National Assembly. However, they failed to reach a conclusion and decided to discuss it again at a general meeting on the 8th.

Opinions were divided on the proposal for Jo Kuk, the director of the Innovation Policy Research Institute, to serve as the emergency committee chairperson versus an external figure taking the role.

Some lawmakers suggested that Director Jo should take the lead as chairperson of the emergency committee to stabilize the situation and responsibly resolve the internal conflict, while a significant number of counterarguments pointed out that Director Jo appearing at the forefront in the current situation would instead place an additional burden on him and the party.

Some have suggested that a senior party elder who was involved in the party's early days should be appointed as the emergency committee chairperson.

Baek Seon-hee, the floor spokesperson, told reporters after the general meeting, "The principles and direction of the emergency committee's formation are important, so the lawmakers had an initial discussion at the general meeting. The key principles are the restoration of trust and innovation." She added, "According to the party constitution and bylaws, decisions regarding the emergency committee are made by the Party Affairs Committee, and the Party Affairs Committee will be convened as soon as possible."

Regarding the appointment of the emergency committee chairperson, Baek said, "We will discuss all possibilities for who to invite," and added, "I will be able to provide specific names tomorrow (after the follow-up general meeting)."

Kim Seon-min, acting leader of the Jo Kuk Innovation Party, and floor leader Seo Wang-jin leave a meeting after announcing their resignation at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 7th, taking responsibility for the party's sexual misconduct case. Yonhap News. 

Previously, former spokesperson Kang Mi-jeong announced her departure from the Innovation Party on the 4th, raising concerns that the party was being passive in handling the sexual misconduct case and that victims were facing disadvantages.

As the situation escalated with former spokesperson Kang's departure, internal conflict continued, with criticism and responsibility being directed even towards Director Jo, who was recently released from prison.

While apologizing for the sexual misconduct case, Director Jo stated that he was incarcerated at the time of the incident and could not be involved in party affairs.

This stance from Director Jo continues to draw criticism from within and outside the party as an evasion of responsibility. Some interpret the mass resignation of the leadership today as an attempt to "protect Jo Kuk."

The Innovation Party plans to hold an early national convention in November to nominate Director Jo as its leader. This incident is expected to inevitably impact Director Jo's political trajectory.

Director Jo has not made any further statements regarding the sexual misconduct case since releasing his statement on the 4th. However, he changed his Facebook profile picture the night before to one showing him listening attentively.

Director Jo is reportedly attempting to contact former spokesperson Kang, directly and indirectly, to meet with her.

Yonhap News