Floor Leader Kim Byung-joo speaks at the Democratic Party's on-site Supreme Council meeting held at the Seungdal Culture and Arts Center in Muan-eup, Muan-gun, Jeonnam, on the 29th, the first anniversary of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster on December 29. Yonhap News

Democratic Party Floor Leader Kim Byung-joo, who is facing allegations of various misconduct, appears to be in the final stages of deliberation regarding his position.

While Floor Leader Kim is expected to offer a public apology for the allegations on the 30th, calls for his resignation rather than an apology are growing, making his decision a point of focus.

Within the party, there is a cautious inclination towards the view that Floor Leader Kim will likely remain in his post rather than resign immediately.

Park Soo-hyun, the senior spokesperson, stated on KBS radio on the 29th, "I believe tomorrow's focus will primarily be on explanations and apologies. If the public is not satisfied afterward, I'm unsure what he will consider then."

An associate of Floor Leader Kim's side conveyed, "Please wait and see his statement tomorrow. Many people around him are advising him to keep his position. We need to do our work first."

Floor Leader Kim appears concerned that the drive for judicial reform legislation, including a special prosecutor for the Unification Church, a second comprehensive special prosecutor, and the establishment of a crime for distorting the law, could be stalled by a vacancy in the floor leadership position resulting from his resignation.

The prevailing sentiment is that the floor leader, who is at the forefront of negotiations with the opposition party amidst extreme partisan conflict due to the filibuster standoff, should not be absent even for a short period.

With Representative Jeong Cheong-rae spearheading the pace of reform, Floor Leader Kim's role in balancing hardline and moderate supporters while aligning with the Presidential Office is also cited as a factor that lowers the possibility of his resignation.

However, there is also a sentiment within parts of the party that his continued presence in office could burden the government and ruling party's state administration, thus necessitating his resignation.

The concern is that while negotiations with the opposition are important, allegations of special favors and "abuse of power" could alienate public sentiment and negatively impact the momentum for reform.

Nonetheless, public calls for the resignation of Floor Leader Kim, who is assessed to have secured the "Lee Jae-myung's will" to be elected as floor leader, are not prominent.

Representative Park Beom-kye stated on YTN radio, "He likely knows well whether this is a matter he can explain or a matter that requires a decisive move."

When asked about "criticism within the party that it was inappropriate," Rep. Park replied, "I am aware that there are people who say so."

Former Representative Hong Ik-pyo said on KBS radio, "It seems like something that needs to be judged after hearing the overall explanation tomorrow. Within the party, opinions seem divided between those who believe 'his statement of position would help state administration' and those who believe 'if he steps down, the reform momentum of the ruling party will be lost.'"

Outside the party, from the People Power Party to the re-aligned ruling camp's groups such as the Cho Kuk Innovation Party and the Progressive Party, there are pressures for a decision on his position, further narrowing Floor Leader Kim's options.

New allegations concerning Floor Leader Kim and his family were raised again today.

One media outlet reported that Floor Leader Kim, as a member of the National Assembly's Steering Committee last year, met with virtual asset exchange Bithumb and subsequently posed aggressive questions towards its competitor Upbit, and that his second son was employed by Bithumb.

Despite the continuous allegations and pressure to resign, Floor Leader Kim attended the Supreme Council meeting held in Muan, Jeonnam, as scheduled today and carried out his duties.

Floor Leader Kim stated, "We will definitely conduct the special prosecutor for the Unification Church and Shincheonji. We will realize the complete end of the year 2025 civil unrest and create a South Korea where democracy is fully established."