Naturalized Korean to head PPP's innovation committee

Politics

Published: 23 Oct. 2023, 18:11 Updated: 23 Oct. 2023, 19:24

Naturalized Korean to head PPP's innovation committee

Ihn Yo-han, the new chief of the conservative People Power Party's innovation committee, at a meeting with party chief Kim Gi-hyeon at the party's headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul, on Monday [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

The conservative People Power Party (PPP) on Monday named Ihn Yo-han, a naturalized citizen also known by his English name John Linton, as the chief of the party’s innovation committee in charge of reforms to regain voters’ trust after it lost a by-election in Seoul.

In comments to reporters after the appointment, Ihn pledged to pursue social and national “unity” and a total overhaul of the PPP, whose approval ratings in recent polls have hovered below 40 percent with less than six months before the general election due to take place in April.

“I'd like to push for unity. Although people could have different opinions, we shouldn't send hate,” Ihn said.

Ihn also suggested that “many people in the PPP must step down, then listen, change and be willing to sacrifice.”

He added that people in the party should be prepared to “change everything except for their wives and children,” echoing similar remarks by the late Samsung chief Lee Kun-hee at a time of upheaval at the company.

Ihn said that while his duties are primarily concerned with changing the PPP from the inside, he also intends to focus the innovation committee’s attention on how Korea should develop its economy, join the ranks of the seven most developed countries in the world, and ultimately “leave a better society to future generations.”

When asked if he was mulling a National Assembly run himself, Ihn said he has “foregone” that thought for the time being and plans to focus on reforming the PPP.

Ihn is the great-grandson of the American Southern Presbyterian missionary Eugene Bell, who established several Christian churches and schools in southwestern Korea and also helped establish Jaejoong Hospital, currently Gwangju Christian Hospital, in 1905.

Ihn was born and raised in South Jeolla, a region dominated by liberals.

His appointment as chief of the PPP innovation committee was approved during the party’s leadership meeting earlier in the day.

Ihn Yo-han, left, speaks with People Power Party Chairman Kim Gi-hyeon at the PPP's headquarters in Yeouido, western Seoul, after his appointment as chief of the party's innovation committee on Monday. [JOINT PRESS CORPS]

“Ihn has the discernment and knowledge necessary to resolve regionalism and foster national cohesion,” said PPP leader Kim Gi-hyeon.

“As Prof. Ihn deeply understands the need for political reform and is driven by great determination, we expect him to come up with the optimal diagnosis for the PPP to reforge itself into a party trusted by the people.”

Ihn became South Korea’s first special naturalized citizen in 2012 in recognition of his efforts to organize humanitarian aid for North Koreans, as well as his contributions to the country's medical system.

Ihn was previously a member of the transition team launched by former President Park Geun-hye and was recently floated as a potential PPP recruit to run in the general election.

He is currently a professor at the Yonsei University College of Medicine.

Ihn’s appointment as the PPP’s innovation committee chief came after the party suffered a crushing defeat in a critical race in to fill the top post at Seoul's Gangseo District Office earlier this month.

Jin Kyo-hoon, the candidate for the liberal Democratic Party, won the by-election to head Gangseo District Office on Oct. 12, defeating PPP candidate Kim Tae-woo by a double-digit figure.

Kim was elected as Gangseo District chief in local government elections in June 2022 but was removed from office in May after the Supreme Court handed him a suspended prison sentence on charges of leaking government secrets gained while working for a special inspection team under the previous Moon Jae-in administration.

His right to run for office was reinstated after President Yoon Suk Yeol granted him a special pardon in August.

BY MICHAEL LEE [lee.junhyuk@joongang.co.kr]