In Yohan appointed as new innovation committee chairman

The People Power Party has chosen In Yohan – often referred to as 'Korean with blue eyes' and the Director of the International Medical Center at Severance Hospital – to head its innovation committee. This move is notably just 12 days after the party’s setback in the Gangseo District Chief by-election in Seoul on Oct. 11.

Upon his appointment on Monday morning, Chairman In convened with reporters at the party's Yeouido headquarters in Seoul. He drew from a profound statement by the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, asserting, "Everything but the wife and child should be changed." "Our party is in dire need of transformation,” he said. "Our opinions might diverge, but we should refrain from animosity." Assuming the role of chairman, Chairman In underlined his commitment to unity.

People Power Party Chairman Kim Ki-hyun declared that he entrusts Chairman In's innovation committee with unreserved authority. During the supreme council session, Kim articulated, "The Innovation Committee will possess full discretion over its members, operational reach, agendas, and terms, enabling the committee to act autonomously and independently." Some party members said, "The success of the Innovation Committee hinges on the degree of autonomy awarded by the party leadership."

A native of Suncheon in South Jeolla Province, Chairman In's lineage traces back five generations in Korea. During his medical studies at Yonsei University in 1980, he played a pivotal role as a translator, bridging the Gwangju civilian forces and international journalists amid the May 18 Democratic Uprising. His significant contributions, including designing and introducing a 'Korean-style ambulance' in 1992, led to his distinction as the inaugural notable naturalized citizen in 2012. Later that same year, In held the vice-chairmanship of the National Integration Committee for then-President-Elect Park Geun-hye.


Na-Ri Shin journari@donga.com