Kim Jong-in: "Poll Reversal? We Did Our Job and Were Evaluated by the People"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, said on the 13th that the party's approval rating surpassing that of the Democratic Party of Korea for the first time since the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye is "about quietly doing what the party can for the future and receiving the people's evaluation."

After the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, Kim told reporters, "It is something to be referenced as a single trend, so there is no need to make various special remarks," expressing his position.

When asked about the reason for the approval rating reversal, he added, "The people of our country are wise and evaluate for themselves what is wrong and what is done well," and said, "I think this is reflected in the approval ratings."

Regarding his statement about apologizing for the imprisonment of the two former presidents, he explained, "It is something I have said even before coming to this party," and added, "Since the two presidents are being judged, the party should morally feel sorry to the people and apologize. That is my theory." On demands for pardons coming from inside and outside the party, he said, "The president makes decisions based on his own judgment, so I think requests from the party are meaningless."

Regarding Democratic Party lawmakers pushing for a public hearing on the 'exhumation law' targeting the late General Baek Seon-yeop, he dismissed it, saying, "It only causes division among the people and I do not think it helps national development."

Kim strongly criticized, saying, "I cannot understand the idea that the people would accept the merits made by the Republic of Korea based on what was done in their youth," and added, "I do not know if it is an attempt to gain advantage by dividing the people with the term 'pro-Japanese,' but such an approach will not be beneficial." He continued, "We cannot say that the future is properly prepared now, and being excessively obsessed with the past and only dealing with old matters will not bring great benefits."