[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Gong Byung-ho, head of the Gong Byung-ho Research Institute, who will serve as the head of the nomination committee for the Future Korea Party, the satellite party for proportional representation of the United Future Party, announced plans to recruit entrepreneurs in new industry sectors. He also expressed the intention to select candidates independently from the United Future Party.
On the 20th, at a press conference held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building, he stated, "Korea is too backward in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. In recent years, it has failed to overcome its backwardness in the currents of world history and technological transformation."
Chairman Gong said, "The primary duty of the 21st National Assembly is not inter-Korean economic cooperation or tourism, but how to solve the problem of making a living. Among vice ministers or senior Blue House officials, almost none have corporate experience," emphasizing, "In this nomination process, what we really need to focus on is selecting real players who understand the flow of the real economy, not just economic policy experts or theorists."
Regarding the relationship with the United Future Party, he emphasized independence, saying, "Communication with the United Future Party is necessary, but the selection of members for the United Future Party and the Future Korea Party is a completely independent matter." Han Sun-kyo, leader of the Future Korea Party, also explained, "The nomination authority given to Chairman Gong is 100%, and we are prepared to guarantee independence close to 99%."
When asked whether lawmakers who failed to receive nominations from the United Future Party could be elected if they joined the Future Korea Party, he replied, "Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, and I cannot say now whether it will be allowed or not," emphasizing, "However, following the past method of setting the order and then sending them down to be accepted is different from the principles I have lived by."
Regarding the Kim Hyung-oh nomination committee system, he said, "There are opinions against Chairman Kim in the world, but after his retirement, I read his writings and thought, 'This is someone who can write like this,' and I believe he is a selfless person," adding, "I think the United Future Party will see better-than-expected effects in local constituencies."
Chairman Gong described the state of the Korean economy as "the real economy is completely broken," stressing, "To say this is not an economic crisis is dishonest, and the new virus has only dealt a blow to the already groggy Korean economy."
He said, "Having experienced the Cho Kuk incident, I used to worry about making a living, but now I think we must seriously consider the deterioration of the country's constitution. Korea is heading toward a pseudo-totalitarian system," adding, "While worrying about what will happen to future generations, I was asked to serve as the head of the nomination committee, and I decided to fairly select members of the National Assembly who can responsibly handle the present and future of the Republic of Korea without selfishness," explaining his acceptance of the nomination committee head position.
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