Launched 'Kim Jong-in Ho'... "Will Become a Progressive Party, a Leading Policy Party"

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, is attending the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] The United Future Party is seeking changes to build a progressive party centered around Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in. The strategy is to break the existing 'conservative' image through leading and progressive policies. They have also prepared a 'Corona Package Act' aimed at supporting medical institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises, and small business owners affected by the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). However, criticism within the party regarding the removal of conservative colors is expected to be significant.

On the 1st, Chairman Kim stated at the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly main building, "Through the Emergency Response Committee, we will make the United Future Party a more progressive party." At the first meeting, he said, "I did not bring any special message," but promised, "I will take a leading role in policy aspects," indicating the direction of change. The backdrop behind the Emergency Response Committee on that day bore the phrase "Change beyond change!"

This is interpreted as a desire to break away from the existing 'conservative' and 'vested interest' images and seek change in a progressive direction. Before the meeting, Chairman Kim began his first official schedule by paying respects at the National Seoul National Cemetery and wrote in the guestbook, "I will do my best for the country in a progressive manner."

They also plan to focus on economic responses related to COVID-19. Chairman Kim said, "Due to the COVID-19 situation, people have very anxious feelings about the future," adding, "I believe we have succeeded in protecting the people, but the resulting economic and social aspects are approaching severely. I hope the government will not simply limit itself to COVID-19 quarantine but provide a balanced outlook on the various impacts on the economy and society."

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, attended the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 1st, keeping his lips tightly sealed. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

The United Future Party also announced that it will propose the 'COVID-19 Crisis Escape Livelihood Support Package Act' as the party's first bill in the 21st National Assembly. The core of the package is to amend the 'Infectious Disease Prevention and Control Act' to compensate for losses incurred by medical institutions, small business owners, and small and medium-sized enterprises affected by COVID-19. Additionally, it will establish a legal basis for refunding tuition fees to university and graduate students when normal educational activities are difficult during national disaster situations, and amend related laws to support agricultural and food products to vulnerable children whose free school meals have been suspended.

Such efforts to significantly reduce conservative colors have also drawn criticism within the party. United Future Party lawmaker Cho Hae-jin appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the same day and said, "Just because we give up the word 'conservative' does not mean the progressive camp gives up the word 'progressive,'" adding, "We are trying to include good values that the people desire and that can give hope to the people within that term. What is wrong with the name 'conservative'?" At the elected members' meeting held on the 29th of last month, there was also criticism that "the first bill is not much different from that of the ruling party."