Kim Jong-in: "Even if actions fall short of past values, don't pick too many fights"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, addressed internal dissent regarding the party's 'progressive change,' stating, "Even if there are actions that fall short of past values, let's not argue too much and cooperate with each other."

Chairman Kim said at a members' meeting held at the National Assembly main building on the morning of the 2nd, "I ask for much cooperation so that the party can get on a normal track and establish a system capable of holding the presidential election."

He said, "When I officially took office as Emergency Committee Chairman yesterday, I said, 'I will make this party a progressive party.' I have had extensive experience and previously participated in the emergency committee of the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the United Future Party, so I understand the party's nature well."

Chairman Kim said, "While campaigning, I came to understand the situation of the United Future Party, and the results were very disappointing," expressing concern that "if this situation continues until the March 2022 presidential election, we cannot help but wonder 'what will become of this party?'"

He emphasized, "Honestly, I have never once thought that I must do this work, but I did not take this position for any personal special purpose; I took it because I believe that without balanced political development, the future of our country's democracy will not be bright."

Chairman Kim stated, "We are currently experiencing a situation never before faced due to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and I believe that unless we achieve disruptive innovation in our current political situation, the country's future will not be bright."

Meanwhile, Representative Jang Je-won criticized on Facebook that morning, saying, "The Kim Jong-in emergency committee says not to use the words 'conservative' or even 'free right-wing.' Are we also not allowed to use the term 'reform conservative'?"