'Withdrawal from Candidacy' Kim Young-woo: "Too Embarrassed to Run in the General Election... Conservatism Will Surely Fail Without Embracing Centrism"

On the 9th, Kim Young-woo, a member of the Liberty Korea Party, appeared on YTN Radio's 'No Young-hee Departure New Morning' and stated regarding his decision not to run in this year's general election, "It's because I'm too ashamed to run."
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Shinwon Yoon] Kim Young-woo, a member of the Liberty Korea Party, stated on the 9th that his declaration not to run in this year's general election is because he is "too ashamed to run."

Kim appeared on YTN Radio's 'Noh Young-hee's Start New Morning' that morning and said, "I feel deeply ashamed as an incumbent lawmaker, thinking about how pitiful the public must find the political world."

He added, "Since I declared I would not run, I am no longer involved in the election, so I can now see politics clearly. Currently, the political world is not fighting over critical issues closely related to the people but is instead fervently focused on 'protecting their own interests.'"

He continued, "It's not so much a great resolution as I simply could not bring myself to ask people to elect me for the fourth time. I am ashamed as someone who has received many benefits from former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. So I thought it was not right and declared I would not run," he added.

Regarding recent remarks by Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the Liberty Korea Party, emphasizing the need for 'conservative unification,' Kim said, "The official candidates will register around March 26 or 27, so it would be good if conservative unification happens before then. However, to inform the public about the purpose and meaning of unification, it would be better if it happens much earlier," adding, "I have told Leader Hwang several times that there is no way to avoid obstacles."

He further explained, "(Leader Hwang) definitely has the will for unification. But it seems he is receiving many pieces of advice on internal party issues and other matters. I just told him that he should not listen only to the pro-Park faction," he said.

He added, "Just 3 to 4 years ago, with the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, we committed a sin in history. It was an unprecedented event in constitutional history. Instead of fighting by pointing fingers at those who impeached and those who did not, we should learn lessons from the impeachment," he said.

Kim also said, "Currently, the Moon Jae-in administration is undermining the rule of law and running the government as it pleases. In fact, the previous Park Geun-hye government also damaged the rule of law, which caused public anger and led to the Constitutional Court's ruling. I strongly told Leader Hwang that unification must be done on this foundation, and he agreed on the overall issues," he emphasized.

Regarding some criticisms that Leader Hwang is facing a leadership crisis, Kim responded, "Members of the Liberty Korea Party should be grateful to Leader Hwang. He became party leader during the most difficult times and is fighting the Moon Jae-in administration with the utmost sincerity and effort. While pointing out his shortcomings, it is important to suggest the direction we should take. If he resigns now, there will be no rallying point," he said.

He added, "However, for unification, he should maintain his position as party leader but it is not right for him to run for office or maintain vested interests in unification. What matters is what and how he will give up," he added.

Regarding reports that Yoo Seung-min, a member of the New Conservative Party, proposed three principles (▲Cross the river of impeachment ▲Move toward reform conservatism ▲Demolish the old house and build a new one) which Leader Hwang did not accept, Kim denied this. He said, "I don't think he rejected them. Those principles are common sense that everyone knows," he replied.

He continued, "But I believe we must go beyond just accepting them. Conservatism that does not embrace the center cannot win elections. That is why we are pursuing reform, and we must not become the pro-Park party again. Whether Leader Hwang accepts these principles or not is not the issue. They are fundamental," he explained.