Kim Jong-in and Tae Gu-min Shake Off Old Grudges: "Thank You for Embracing Me"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-in, the overall election committee chairman of the Future United Party, and Tae Gumin (Taeyoungho), the candidate for Gangnam Gap, who had caused controversy over nominations, have cleared up old grievances. Chairman Kim encouraged, "Do well," and candidate Tae responded, "I feel like I have gained a great ally."

On the morning of the 30th, Chairman Kim met candidate Tae at the National Assembly main building and said, "Although the election has been overshadowed by COVID-19, this is a moment to judge the failures of the past three years," and offered words of encouragement, "Please work hard."

In response, candidate Tae said, "I feel like I have gained a great ally," and added, "Thank you for embracing me so warmly today and for sharing the key points to winning the election."

Previously, Chairman Kim had described candidate Tae, a former North Korean diplomat to the UK, in an interview as "having no roots in South Korea," which led candidate Tae to demand an apology. However, this meeting appears to have resolved the lingering tensions between the two.

Right after the meeting, candidate Tae told reporters, "That is in the past," and added, "(Chairman Kim) did not say anything further. He encouraged me, saying that we can win this election."

He continued, "I sincerely thank Chairman Kim for coming to lead the Future United Party to a certain victory, and our party will surely win," adding, "He embraced me warmly, offered words of encouragement, and pointed out the key points for a sure victory in the Gangnam election."

Candidate Tae said, "(Chairman Kim) mentioned that Gangnam is a symbolic region for our conservatives and the core of our free market economy, so we need to approach voters with fundamental economic issues," and added, "I will cherish the experience Chairman Kim shared from running elections."

He went on, "Currently, the residents of Gangnam are focused on taxes and the economy," and said, "COVID-19 is a problem, but they are more worried about South Korea's economic situation after COVID-19. In that sense, the emergency economic measures announced by Chairman Kim yesterday are a secret strategy that can save South Korea's economy and our people from falling off a cliff."