[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party has once again pulled out the card of recruiting former Democratic Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in as the head of the election committee. This is based on the calculation that he can play a significant role as an issue maker and an icon of anti-Moon (anti-Moon Jae-in). However, it is uncertain whether the expected effect will be achieved through his recruitment. There are considerable voices of opposition within the party due to controversies and noise.
Park Hyung-joon, co-head of the United Future Party's election committee, appeared on KBS Radio's "Kim Kyung-rae's Strongest Current Affairs" on the morning of the 26th and said, "We want to have him with us," adding, "It is still difficult to say whether it will be realized."
Former emergency committee chairman Kim had expressed on the 16th that he would not take the position of head of the United Future Party's election committee, but the "Kim Jong-in card" is still ongoing within the party. Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, also told reporters after the Kwanhun Club invitation debate on the 25th, "The Kim Jong-in card has not been canceled."
Park said, "As you know, the most important front in this election is the showdown between the pro-Moon loyalist regime and the pan-centrist conservative united forces," adding, "Although he contributed to the birth of the Moon Jae-in government, if we can have former chairman Kim, who knows the issue best, with us, we can secure the symbolism of pan-centrist conservative unity at the election level, and the message power will be tremendous."
However, former emergency committee chairman Kim stated in a media interview the day before that the possibility of accepting the United Future Party's offer was 1%. Regarding this, Park said, "We have hope because he did not deny the 1%."
The United Future Party pulled out the "Kim Jong-in card" because the election enthusiasm is not rising due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and face-to-face election campaigning is virtually impossible. Park said, "The COVID-19 crisis is not even boosting the election atmosphere," adding, "From the opposition party's standpoint, the election enthusiasm needs to rise, but those aspects are blocked."
With no major issues other than COVID-19, his ability as an "issue maker" is highly valued. Park said, "Former chairman Kim has high political symbolism and experience leading major elections in 2012 and 2016, and he is a senior who delivers messages that resonate with the public," adding, "He is the person who can most insightfully view the situation our country is facing." However, considering that his recruitment was canceled due to opposition within the party, there is considerable interest as it seems likely that his recruitment could cause further noise.
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