Lee Jun-seok "Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee Unavoidable... No Alternative Situation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The United Future Party held a two-day workshop starting on the 21st to discuss the party leadership, including the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee,' during which Lee Jun-seok, the party's Supreme Council member, expressed that the Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee is inevitable.

On the 21st, Lee appeared on BBS Radio's 'Park Kyung-soo's Morning Journal' and stated, "There are no other candidates being mentioned right now. I think there is no alternative."

He said, "Former General Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in made remarks implying 'some are suitable presidential candidates, and some are not,' which caused misunderstandings and recently led to some instability. However, if that personal interest were about 'I want to be the candidate,' it would usually be considered selfish, but since he presented a certain category he thinks of, the misunderstanding can be resolved."

Regarding the timing of the emergency committee and the suggestion that the term should be guaranteed until the party convention in February next year, he said, "Many say that the August party convention is too early in terms of timing. However, there is the issue of whether to hold the nomination for the by-elections at the end of the year or afterward next year."

He then mentioned the characteristics of former Chairman Kim, saying, "If his will is not carried out and things he thinks are wrong happen, he tends to try to resign repeatedly, which causes problems. If he thinks that the emergency committee chairman position is not producing results or that he can no longer continue, he will likely resign. But if the results are good, he might extend beyond the initially planned one year."

Regarding the push for a state audit on Yoon Mi-hyang, the Democratic Party elected member, he said, "A state audit is a procedure conducted according to the law, so the scope and target must be specified. Whether to examine all issues related to the comfort women problem, investigate accounting fraud of a specific organization, or review the overall operation of civic groups will change the nature of the state audit itself. Therefore, within the party, there is a sentiment that more careful consideration is needed in specifying the scope of the state audit."