PPP OVERHAULS ELECTION COMMITTEE

[Anchor Lead]

The People Power Party has decided to conduct a sweeping overhaul of its election committee amid drastic drops in public support for its presidential candidate Yoon Suk-yeol. Yoon apologized for what he described as his shortcomings.

[Pkg]

The PPP's election committee chief Kim Chong-in announced a plan to overhaul the committee.

[Soundbite] Kim Chong-in(Election Committee Chief) : "We need to show that the PPP election committee is working hard to meet the demands of the people."

This is a drastic move to address an internal conflict, disputes surrounding Yoon Suk-yeol and his declining public support. It was a sudden unscheduled announcement, without discussions with Yoon.

[Soundbite] Yoon Suk-yeol(PPP Pres. Candidate) : "(Why are you reshuffling the committee?) ..."

Afterwards, Yoon canceled all his public schedules. Key figures of the committee offered to resign one after another, including committee chairs Kim Byeong-jun and Lee Soo-jung. The party’s floor leader Kim Gi-hyeon and other parliamentary leaders also offered to resign en masse.

[Soundbite] Kim Gi-hyeon(PPP Floor Leader) : "I don't blame others. I am to blame. It’s my fault. As floor leader, I have decided to take the initiative in the reform."

Chair Kim Han-gil and vice chair Shin Ji-ye of the New Age Preparation Committee, an organization installed directly under the candidate, also stepped down. Following a ten-hour meeting, Yoon issued an apology. He said it’s all his fault and he sincerely apologizes to the people.

[Soundbite] Yoon Suk-yeol(PPP Pres. Candidate) : "Many people worry about the election. I am to blame and it’s all my fault."

At the same time, he stressed it will not take a long time to complete the reform of the committee.