Sim Jae-cheol "Will Reform Almost Equivalent to Reestablishing the Party"... Early Party Convention Speculation from Some Sides

Shim Jae-cheol, Acting President of the United Future Party, and lawmakers attended the election countermeasures committee disbandment ceremony held at the National Assembly on the 17th, bowing their heads in greeting before the event began. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] The United Future Party, which suffered a crushing defeat in the April 15 general election, has announced fundamental changes, mentioning a "reorganization comparable to reestablishment." Amid rumors of recruiting external figures for the transition to an emergency response committee (ERC) system and the appointment of the ERC chairman, some within the party argue for an early termination of the ERC system and an expedited party convention. In this situation, attention is focused on whether former General Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in will be appointed as the ERC chairman.

Shim Jae-cheol, acting leader of the United Future Party, said at the disbandment ceremony of the election committee on the 17th, "We will devote ourselves to party reform work comparable to reestablishment." He emphasized, "We will carefully examine the shortcomings again and again," adding, "We will take this opportunity to set the party straight, deeply engraving the support and encouragement sent by the people in this election in our hearts. We will also firmly complete the unfinished structural improvements."

He also reflected on the causes of the defeat in the recent general election. Acting leader Shim said, "The results of this general election are devastating. I apologize as a member of the leadership," adding, "We failed to present an image of a competent alternative party, and innovation and conservative grand unity were insufficient. The values and dignity as a conservative right-wing party were also inadequate. I will accept the criticism sternly."

He expressed gratitude despite the overwhelming votes for proportional representation. Acting leader Shim said, "I am grateful for entrusting us with the minimum power to uphold the constitutional values of the Republic of Korea," and "I will deeply remember that the Future Korea Party, a satellite party, received more votes than the ruling party's proportional representation party." He requested, "We will show how we solve the immediate tasks the people have shown through their votes. Especially, we will gather wisdom to overcome the economic crisis that will blow after the COVID-19 disaster. Although the election committee is disbanded, please join us in the party's new start and pool your capabilities."

With the dissolution of the leadership making the transition to the ERC system inevitable, Kim Jong-in, former chairman, is considered a strong candidate for the ERC chairman both inside and outside the party. It is also known that former leader Hwang Kyo-ahn asked Kim to "pull the party together." Hong Joon-pyo, former Saenuri Party leader who was elected as an independent in Daegu Suseong, appeared on CBS Radio's "Kim Hyun-jung's News Show" that morning and said, "There is no suitable candidate for ERC chairman within the party," suggesting Kim as an alternative. Hong also stated, "The presidential bid is my last dream, and my candidacy in Suseong is also my last dream and start toward 2022," and expressed that he would not challenge the party leadership unless the party constitution's rule separating presidential and party leadership is amended.

In addition, Rep. Yoo Seung-min is also mentioned, and there are even rumors of recruiting Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People's Party. However, Supreme Council member Cho Kyung-tae drew a line on the recruitment rumors of Ahn, saying, "This is not the time for that." On the morning of the 17th, Cho told reporters in front of the National Assembly floor leader's office, "Now, it is more important to wisely and prudently overcome the internal crisis situation first."

Cho also proposed ending the ERC system early and holding an early party convention to stabilize the party. He said, "I don't know whether to call it an ERC or a recovery countermeasure committee, but we need to form a countermeasure committee with a direction to quickly recover," adding, "We need to hold the party convention quickly to form a new leadership and overcome the crisis, so we should not continue with the ERC system for a long time as in the past."