[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," after criticism spread both inside and outside the party calling it a "self-destructive act." Some analysts suggest that Kim's statement was intended to provoke a reaction.
On the morning of the 19th, right after the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly, Kim told reporters, "I did not say there is no candidate."
Kim explained, "The words were miscommunicated, which caused this misunderstanding," adding, "It would be good if the future Busan mayor has a vision to transform Busan into a world-class container port, but I said 'there is no such person yet.'"
He clarified that there is not a complete absence of candidates for Busan mayor. He continued, "Since the Port of Hamburg has been completely transformed into a 'smart port,' I said I hope candidates with such a vision would come forward (as Busan mayor candidates)."
On the 16th, during a visit to Busan to attend the 41st anniversary ceremony of the Bu-Ma Democratic Uprising, Kim sparked controversy by saying at a meeting with local media, "Among the figures currently mentioned, I do not see the candidate I have in mind. It feels like some lawmakers who have served three to four terms are bored and thinking of trying to become mayor."
Kim's remarks targeting senior politicians running for Busan mayor drew criticism from those veterans. Jo Kyung-tae, the longest-serving member within the party, criticized it as a "very inappropriate remark," followed by Kwon Young-se, a four-term lawmaker, who said, "What do we gain by belittling ourselves?" Jang Je-won, a three-term lawmaker and considered a candidate for Busan mayor, also expressed concern, saying, "It is worrisome that the party leader behaves self-destructively wherever he goes," and added, "I will not run in the Busan mayoral by-election."
Kim Byung-joon, chairman of the People Power Party's Sejong City branch and former Emergency Committee Chairman of the party's predecessor, the Liberty Korea Party, also criticized, saying, "If, as Chairman Kim said, there really are no candidates worthy of Seoul mayor or Busan mayor, then the party should just close its doors," and added, "After setting up a primary committee, what is the point of 'killing' the primary candidates? It can only be read as an intention to single-handedly select and bring in someone."
Some in the opposition interpret Kim's "harsh" remarks as an attempt to provoke a reaction. Kang Seok-ho, former lawmaker and leader of the opposition forum "Towards a Better World" (Mapo Forum), appeared on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that day and said, "Since Chairman Kim is a person without selfish interests, his provocative words and actions can be interpreted as a strong, continuous push for innovation within the party," adding, "He says 'there are no people,' but if you think positively, it is a provocative statement."
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