Newly appointed to lead the People Power Party’s innovation committee, John Linton leaves the party’s headquarters in Yeouido on Oct. 23 after meeting with Lee Man-hui, the party’s secretary general, to discuss the direction of the innovation committee. (Kang Chang-kwang/The Hankyoreh)
The People Power Party appointed John Linton, 64, the director of the International Health Care Center at Severance Hospital, as the chairperson of its innovation committee on Monday.
The appointment comes 12 days after the ruling party’s defeat in the Gangseo District mayoral by-election on Oct. 11.
Party leader Kim Gi-hyeon stated at a Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on Monday that Linton has “deep insight and knowledge of eliminating regionalist sentiment and uniting people,” when passing the motion to appoint Linton.
Kim stated that he would grant the chairperson of the innovation committee “free rein,” without imposing restrictions on their authority.
“The innovation committee will have full power and make autonomous and independent judgments on all matters, including the composition of members, scope of activities, agenda, and activity deadlines,” Kim said. “We need all party members to participate in excising aspects of the party that are at odds with public sentiment to make sure that there is real change in the party, not change in name.”
Speaking to reporters at the party’s headquarters, Linton expressed a strong commitment to reform, saying, “Everything must change, except for your wife and children,” quoting the founder of Samsung.
He also announced that he intends to promote unity. “Let us refrain from hating other people for having different beliefs. That is what integration is,” the doctor said.
Linton, who grew up in Suncheon, South Jeolla Province, is the great-grandson of Eugene Bell, an American missionary who came to South Korea in the 19th century, and became the first person to be approved for special naturalization in 2012.
He served as vice chairperson of the Presidential Committee for National Cohesion in president-elect Park Geun-hye’s presidential transition committee and has recently been touted as a possible candidate for the general election.
Linton’s appointment to the reform committee comes as a commitment to change by Kim Gi-hyeon, carried out after confirming that his party did not want him to step down as leader following the People Power Party’s crushing defeat in the Gangseo District mayoral by-election.
By Son Hyun-soo, staff reporter; Shin Min-jung, staff reporter
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