'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' Announces Radical Changes... Different from the Start of Committee Formation

Kim Jong-in "Don't Be Surprised Even If We Propose Economic Democratization Ideals" Foreseeing Major Changes
Emergency Committee 'Reform Expedition'... Early-term Lawmakers, Youth, and Women Positioned at the Front
Starting with Revising the Party Platform and Policies... "We Will Propose and Be Evaluated on National Agendas"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Kim Hyemin and Lim Chunhan] The United Future Party launched a new leadership system, the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee,' 42 days after its crushing defeat in the April 15 general election. Chairman Kim Jong-in formed a groundbreaking 'young emergency committee' and warned of major changes, saying, "Don't be surprised even if we present something new."

Resolving the issue of term delays that had postponed the launch, the Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee will lead the United Future Party until the by-elections on April 7 next year. Including this general election, the party has lost four consecutive nationwide elections, and now, at a critical moment ahead of the presidential election in two years, it has taken on the heavy responsibility of normalizing the party.

The first bold move was the composition of the emergency committee members. Chairman Kim formed the committee mainly with first- and second-term lawmakers, young politicians, and female politicians, putting a young organization at the forefront.

Ex officio members include Floor Leader Joo Ho-young and Policy Committee Chairman Lee Jong-bae. Among first-term lawmakers, elected member Kim Mi-ae participates, and among second-term lawmakers, Seong Il-jong is involved. Additionally, Kim Hyun-ah, Kim Byung-min (Chairman of the Seoul Gwangjin-gap Organization Committee), Kim Jae-seop (Chairman of the Seoul Dobong-gap Organization Committee), and Jung Won-seok (Co-Representative of Cheong Sa-jin) were appointed. Of the nine members, two are women and three were born in the 1980s. These figures are considered innovative and rational within the party. This is why the committee's composition is seen as emphasizing a will for innovation from the start.

Emergency Committee member Kim Mi-ae expressed in a phone interview, "Although the party has worked on it, it was either not highlighted or neglected, and we were evaluated as lacking legislative policy activities for the socially vulnerable. I am determined to enhance human rights sensitivity and lead legislative policies for the socially vulnerable, contributing to making the party beloved."

Committee member Kim Hyun-ah also stated on her Facebook, "I will serve as a bridge to connect and bridge gaps in issues, views, and between inside and outside the National Assembly through age, experience, and expertise," emphasizing, "I will think deeply and fight to overcome the inertia of Yeouido." Born in 1988 and the youngest member, Jung Won-seok wrote on Facebook, "I will abandon the misconception that youthful vigor and quickness are the solution and humbly contribute to establishing the party's fundamentals," lowering himself.

Chairman Kim had already signaled major changes before the launch. At a closed special lecture held before the National Committee's approval of the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' plan on the 27th, he said, "Do not use the words progressive or conservative. Do not even say centrist," emphasizing a post-ideological spirit by stating, "A political party should show that it can solve the most sensitive issues for the people, such as inequality and anti-democratic problems." He also mentioned the 'post-COVID' era, reportedly saying, "The remaining issue is which side adapts better to the changed world, and that is the core."

The Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee plans to start by reorganizing the party platform and policies in line with this spirit. They intend to quickly revise the platform and policies, propose, implement, and evaluate detailed national policy tasks. Unlike past emergency committees that only had time to suggest innovation tasks to the next leadership, they do not want to repeat those failures. The Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee has been given a term of just over one year.

Committee member Kim Byung-min said in a phone interview, "In the past, party logic was strengthened around strong support bases, but now we will continuously present the party's changed value orientation that transcends political logic and partisan conflict," emphasizing, "If we make people believe this is for the public, that will be the beginning and end of the emergency committee." He added, "From that perspective, I think there will be many changes from the past lines and activities shown by the United Future Party, and I am determined to make it so."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, the United Future Party and the Future Korea Party held a merger declaration ceremony on the 28th. The merger came 113 days after the Future Korea Party was founded as a satellite party for proportional representation in protest against the '4+1 coalition's' election law revision. With this, the United Future Party officially starts the 21st National Assembly with 103 seats, forming a unified front against the ruling party.

Floor Leader Joo said at the merger declaration ceremony held at the National Assembly that day, "The United Future Party and the Korea Party have finally merged and become one again as originally intended," adding, "(Korea Party lawmakers and elected members) went through unnecessary hardships. The forces called the 4+1 coalition pushed the election law recklessly, causing confusion, but now we will unite our strength to correct the government's mistakes and do our best to make the National Assembly function for the people."

Future Korea Party leader Won Yoo-chul said, "The 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' has launched. Expectations are high. We must reorganize our identity and line to fit the times and present new figures and visions," adding, "Although the number of seats has decreased, we must ensure that the people occupy those seats. We must become a 'strong small opposition party' that works with the people."