'Kim Jong-in Seondaewiwonjang' Canceled... Hwang Kyo-an Leads Seondaewi Overall System

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, decided to take on the role of the overall election committee chairman one month ahead of the April 15 general election. Former Democratic Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in, who was a strong candidate for the election committee chairman, ultimately declined the position amid internal and external controversies within the party. With the 'Kim Jong-in card' off the table, Hwang Kyo-ahn directed sharp criticism at former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo and the nomination committee, initiating internal discipline enforcement.

At the Supreme Council meeting held in the National Assembly plenary session on the 16th, Leader Hwang said, "From today, the party will be operated under the election committee system," adding, "I will personally take up the flag as the standing overall election committee chairman." He described the newly formed election committee as an "economy and nation-saving election committee," and urged, "Since the central party and provincial parties will operate under an emergency system until the election, all party officials should approach their duties with extraordinary resolve."

The previously strong candidate, former chairman Kim, was ruled out. On the morning of the same day, Kim announced through a Facebook post by his close aide, former lawmaker Choi Myung-gil, that he had no intention of serving as the election committee chairman for the United Future Party, stating, "I also told Leader Hwang yesterday to end further discussions."

Until recently, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Kim would take the election committee chairman position, but he ultimately declined due to unresolved differences over the election committee structure. He explained, "As internal affairs of the United Future Party became complicated, Leader Hwang proposed a joint election committee system with multiple chairpersons. I responded that I could not understand the reason for recruiting me under such circumstances and wished everyone success in working together." Kim Jong-in had previously stated in multiple media interviews that he would not serve as a co-chairman of the election committee.

The resignation of Kim Hyung-oh, chairman of the nomination committee, amid controversies surrounding candidate nominations also appears to have had an impact. Within the United Future Party, there were reports that former chairman Kim Jong-in demanded control over nominations as a condition for accepting the election committee chairman position, and the Supreme Council requested a re-examination of some nomination results. Recently, Kim was embroiled in controversy over remarks about former North Korean diplomat Tae Koo-min (Tae Yong-ho), which were criticized as derogatory toward defectors.

Leader Hwang, seemingly aware of the controversies surrounding the recruitment of former chairman Kim, also took steps to enforce discipline. Regarding former leader Hong Joon-pyo, who declared an independent candidacy in Daegu, Hwang criticized, "Responsible figures are defying the party's decisions and leaving the ranks of liberal democracy," and urged, "Please engage in broad politics." He also demanded that the nomination committee, which faced accusations of favoritism, "carefully consider local public opinion, liberal democracy, and market economy values when making nominations."

In response, former leader Hong Joon-pyo fired back at Leader Hwang, saying, "Even if I had ten mouths, I would have nothing to say. Just shut up and focus on the Jongno election." In a Facebook post that day, Hong criticized, "Today, Leader Hwang said something outrageous. It's truly a spectacle," adding, "Having engaged in petty politics and cowardly politics, more concerned with eliminating internal rivals than winning the general election, how can you say such things?"

The election committee is expected to transition to a joint committee system in the future. Former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo and former leader Chung Byung-guk are mentioned as candidates. On the same day, Representative Joo Ho-young appeared on YTN Radio's 'No Young-hee's Start Morning' and stated, "We are consulting with people like former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo and former leader Chung Byung-guk."