Kim Jong-in: "The statement 'No Busan mayoral candidate in sight' was miscommunicated"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, dismissed the controversy surrounding his remark implying that "there is no candidate for Busan mayor" as a "miscommunication."

On the morning of the 19th, after the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly, Kim told reporters, "I did not say there is no candidate," clarifying his statement.

On the 16th, during his visit to Busan to attend the 41st anniversary ceremony of the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising, Kim made a remark to the effect that "there is no suitable candidate among the currently mentioned figures," which sparked internal outrage within the party. Former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Byung-joon of the Liberty Korea Party (now People Power Party) criticized, "If you think that way, you might as well close the door," and three-term lawmaker Jang Je-won of the People Power Party pointed out, "A person of the party leader's stature engaging in self-destructive behavior wherever he goes."

However, Kim explained, "The words were miscommunicated, which caused the misunderstanding," adding, "I meant that it would be good if someone with a vision to transform Busan into a world-class container port emerges as the next Busan mayor, but such a person has not appeared yet."

At the Emergency Committee meeting that day, the People Power Party announced its plan to submit a bill to enforce a special prosecutor investigation. Kim said, "Currently, with the prison letter from Kim Bong-hyun, former chairman of Star Mobility and a suspect, it looks like the Prosecutor General and the Minister of Justice are fighting each other," adding, "Several undisclosed facts related to the case have surfaced, and the only way to handle these objectively and thoroughly is through a special prosecutor."

He added, "The floor leader is preparing the bill," and said, "If the ruling party is confident, there is no reason to refuse a special prosecutor." Regarding Floor Leader Joo Ho-young's remark about considering protests outside the National Assembly if the special prosecutor is not approved, Kim said, "That is something we need to wait and see," adding, "If all else fails, we may have to choose it as a last resort."