Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee's First Meeting... "Formation of Economic Innovation Committee... Reviewing New Party Platform"

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 Reporter Kim Hyemin] The United Future Party's 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee' officially launched its activities with its first meeting on the 1st. During the meeting, there was a consensus that fundamental policy reviews are necessary to respond to the 'post-COVID-19' era, and it was decided to establish an Economic Innovation Committee under the Emergency Response Committee. The party also agreed to review new party platform policies.

Choi Hyung-doo, the United Future Party's floor spokesperson, announced this during a press briefing after the Emergency Response Committee meeting held at the National Assembly that morning.

Spokesperson Choi said, "Chairman Kim mentioned a rough plan under the banner of change beyond change," adding, "The Emergency Response Committee decided to divide roles among its members, focusing on youth party member education, women's issues, and low birthrate problems."

He particularly noted, "Chairman Kim said that while the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) itself is a crisis, it also signals a very large and rapid economic crisis," and added, "To respond well at the national level and strengthen the party's policy capabilities, it was decided to form an Economic Innovation Committee under the Emergency Response Committee."

According to Spokesperson Choi, during the meeting, Chairman Kim stated, "One of the things the United Future Party should focus on in the future is discovering future industries," citing AI (Artificial Intelligence) as an example. Chairman Kim emphasized, "It has been over four years since AI was first discussed, but reportedly, there is not a single professor teaching AI in South Korea," and stressed, "Not only the party but the entire Republic of Korea needs fundamental policy reviews to respond to the post-COVID-19 era." He added, "We will implement these not just in words but through action and policy."

Spokesperson Choi also conveyed that Chairman Kim diagnosed, "The party's policy functions, normal functions, and ability to clearly deliver messages have significantly weakened due to various circumstances such as impeachment over the past few years." Floor leader Joo Ho-young also stated, "The party should operate on a 24-hour emergency basis to provide measures that meet the public's concerns," and proposed, "Let's establish a daily 24-hour operational system centered on the Secretary-General and the Emergency Response Committee." To this end, he suggested activating the system by supplementing party staff from among the National Assembly members' aides.

Additionally, Floor Leader Joo emphasized that the Emergency Response Committee should pool wisdom to prepare the party to become a nationwide party representing all social strata and people for re-election in two years. One proposal was to establish routine sisterhood ties with the 30s and 40s youth demographic and the Honam region.

During the meeting, the appointment of former lawmaker Kim Seon-dong as Secretary-General and lawmaker Song Eon-seok as Chief of Staff to the Committee Chairman was approved. There was no discussion on specific implementation plans such as dismantling the Yeouido Research Institute or introducing a basic income system. Spokesperson Choi also reported that there was no separate discussion regarding changing the party name.