Kim Geun-sik "Yoon Seok-yeol's approval rating low due to People Power Party... 'Need for mindset change'" [Seoul Mayor Candidate Interview]

Kim Geun-sik "Criticized by both progressives and conservatives... Will be judged by policies"
"People Power Party based in Yeongnam should also have politicians from Honam"
"Politics must function properly to create laws that help the socially vulnerable"
"'Gladiator Kim Geun-sik' who can criticize Moon Jae-in administration should become Seoul mayor"

Professor Kim Geun-sik, chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong district of the People Power Party and a candidate for the Seoul mayoral election, is explaining his political direction and reasons for running for Seoul mayor. Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporters Seunggon Han and Juhee Kang] Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, who is running for the Seoul mayoral by-election this April, is a controversial figure. Originally from Honam, he was involved in student activism while studying political science at Seoul National University, where he also earned his master's and doctoral degrees. As a North Korea expert, he visited Pyongyang as a special aide to former President Roh Moo-hyun during the 2007 inter-Korean summit. Later, he served as a 'North Korea mentor' to Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and now, as the head of the People Power Party’s Songpa-byeong district committee in Seoul, he continuously criticizes the Moon Jae-in administration from the conservative camp.

Due to his political stance, he faces criticism from both the ruling party and conservatives, as well as supporters of Ahn Cheol-soo. Nevertheless, Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, met him last October and encouraged him to run for Seoul mayor. Kim Geun-sik decided to run and is now competing with other candidates such as Na Kyung-won and Oh Se-hoon within the party. Throughout the interview, he emphasized that if politics is not for the people, both progressives and conservatives should be criticized. The following is a Q&A with Professor Kim.

- We cannot avoid starting with the so-called 'Cheonan Ship Kim Geun-sik remark.' As a member of the conservative People Power Party, do you still believe that the 'Cheonan ship sinking incident' was not caused by North Korea and that there is a kind of 'scent of fabrication' as you stated at the time?

▲ That was on May 20, 2010, the day after former President Lee Myung-bak announced through an investigation that the Cheonan ship sinking was caused by North Korea. It was the day after it was officially concluded that 'this was North Korea's act,' and the local elections were in full swing. I gave an interview to a media outlet at that time, and the question was about 'the impact of the Cheonan incident on the local elections.'

So I simply answered that 'the Cheonan incident smells too much like a fabrication.' This does not mean that it was not North Korea's act. What I meant was that 'the Cheonan ship sinking incident itself could be politically exploited.' I was really unfairly treated. To summarize and report with just a few words without context is misleading the public.

- You were a 'North Korea mentor' to Ahn Cheol-soo, moving from the progressive camp to the conservative camp. There is a public perception that you are a kind of 'political butterfly,' neither progressive nor conservative.

▲ I am criticized by both the progressive camp, including pro-Moon factions, and the conservative camp. The progressives call me a 'traitor,' while some in the conservative Taegeukgi faction say, 'Kim Geun-sik, you are a disguised leftist, a spy.'

Even Ahn Cheol-soo’s supporters criticize me. I am criticized by almost all support bases. I accept this as a situation I must endure. Through the Seoul mayoral position, I want to be evaluated on policies, accept criticism, and work hard to improve the quality of life for Seoul citizens.

- You declared your candidacy for Seoul mayor after a sudden meeting with Kim Jong-in last year. Some criticize this as a strategic move by the People Power Party, which is based in Yeongnam, to expand its centrist outreach targeting Honam.

Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong district of the People Power Party, running for Seoul mayor. Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

▲ I can say this clearly: just because someone is from Honam does not mean they will get Honam votes. In fact, the Democratic Party has a strong support base in Honam, so simply being from Honam does not guarantee votes anymore.

Especially since I, being from Honam, openly criticize the Democratic Party, it might even be disadvantageous for me. However, after I announced my candidacy for Seoul mayor, many politicians from Honam sent me supportive messages. This seems to be related to the changing public opinion about President Moon Jae-in.

- What role do you think a Honam-origin politician can play in the People Power Party?

▲ The Democratic Party started with a strong support base in Honam, their home turf. That is why presidential candidates usually come from outside Honam. Former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in are examples.

Similarly, our party is based in Yeongnam. For presidential candidate expansion, a person from Honam has more outreach potential. Although this has never happened in the conservative camp, in that sense, some of Kim Jong-in’s 'Honam theory' is correct.

- Then, should Kim Jong-in’s act of kneeling and apologizing at the National 5·18 Democratic Cemetery be seen as a political gesture?

▲ Some may see it that way, but the sincere meaning of apology is greater, and that is indeed the case.

- You are a professor and also involved in politics. How do you respond to criticism of being a 'poly-professor,' a scholar dabbling in politics?

▲ Like Cho Kuk and most professor-turned-politicians, they have never officially joined a party. If you want to do politics, you should give political interviews and join a party, meaning you should run for an elected position.

However, most poly-professors do not join parties but join the campaign of a potential candidate during presidential elections. Being in a campaign is not the same as joining a party. This phenomenon is problematic across both ruling and opposition parties, left and right.

I have consistently run for office from the start, even if I lose. Politicians should be chosen by the people through their political claims.

Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong district of the People Power Party, who ran for mayor of Seoul. Professor Kim emphasized that our society can progress more constructively when politics functions properly for the socially vulnerable. Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

- What does politics mean to you, and how did you step into this political arena?

▲ My political journey began by criticizing the wrongs in our society and politics. Not based on factional logic, but by pointing out mistakes and achievements beyond factions, I became the politician Kim Geun-sik.

Currently, Korean politics is a kind of image and fandom politics. I think politics is being done without fundamental reflection on why it is done. In this context, I hope politicians engage in sincere politics. I truly want to practice honest politics, and I hope my sincerity reaches the people.

Politics can prevent the deaths of those who died unjustly and ensure their deaths are not in vain. But I feel our politics is too focused on partisan strife.

Legislation and legal systems to prevent accidents can only be done by politics. However, politics with such immense power is often used for personal or factional interests. This is truly regrettable.

Also, politicians should reflect daily on why they do politics and look back on themselves. Through self-reflection, they can repent and show political power where needed, truly understanding the pain of ordinary people.

Politics is the most powerful force to change the world. Because it wields great power, someone must do it properly, with sacrifice and dedication.

The power of politics comes from authority. When becoming president, mayor, or member of the National Assembly, one exercises tremendous power. Politics inevitably involves coercion over others, and misuse of this power harms the community greatly.

Used properly, this power can save and develop the community and wipe away many tears, but few understand this.

Entering politics without understanding this power can cost one’s life. Politics is a matter of life and death. Only those who think this way should engage in politics. If unprepared, one should not step forward.

I understand this dual nature of politics well. If reckless people ruin politics, the community has no future. Politics is the most important function to maintain and develop the community. I ask myself daily why I do politics and whether I am doing it well.

Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong district of the People Power Party, who ran for mayor of Seoul. Professor Kim analyzed that the high approval rating of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol stems from the phenomenon that the People Power Party does not receive support from the public. Photo by Kang Joo-hee kjh818@asiae.co.kr

- Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl is classified as an opposition candidate and shows high approval ratings. How do you interpret this?

▲ From a political perspective, it is simply a 'strange phenomenon.' Isn’t it? He is the current Prosecutor General appointed by the president, with no connection to our party, yet he is supported as a next presidential candidate from the opposition. This is indeed strange.

Why does this phenomenon continue? There is only one reason: the public’s desire for a politician who can fight properly against the Moon Jae-in administration.

In other words, who in the People Power Party can fight like that? When I declared my candidacy for Seoul mayor, I called myself 'Gladiator Kim Geun-sik.' I can confidently speak harshly against the Moon administration. I can raise my voice in criticism. I am confident.

- What do you think about the so-called '586 student activist generation' in the Democratic Party?

▲ Are there politicians who stand on their own name? While they may have done well in policies or legislation, it is true that they have been doing politics under the title of 'student activists 586.' From the public’s perspective, there may be a lack of politics or laws for ordinary people.

They seem to be living off their student activism background. Because of this, the government and ruling party are trapped in 'conceptual progressivism.'

- Some say the Democratic Party has many who act as mere mouthpieces, while the People Power Party lacks prominent figures like specific lawmakers.

▲ It’s simple. It means they have not won the people’s love. If the public gave more support, the People Power Party could field more candidates. It is regrettable. We have lost several elections before. But acknowledging those defeats and standing up again, I see gradual changes happening now. In this regard, I think Chairman Kim has contributed a lot.

- There was controversy over pardons for former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye. What are your thoughts?

▲ The person I respect most is former President Kim Dae-jung. He understood the dual nature of power, was ruthless when needed, but for 40 years, he held love for the community as the basis of politics.

Because of love, he knew how to forgive enemies. Pardoning Chun Doo-hwan, who sentenced him to death, was not easy.

Regarding pardons, some say that forgiveness should come only after asking for pardon and apology. Others argue that even for theft, punishment is necessary and pardons should not be granted. That is a separate issue. If so, there would be no need to give the president pardon power.

Pardon power is granted to the president, the head of the executive branch, to exercise some judicial authority for national unity when necessary.

Pardons are based on forgiveness and reconciliation, with the prerequisite that the offender must repent. Former President Kim Dae-jung understood this and pardoned Chun Doo-hwan accordingly.

Professor Kim Geun-sik of Gyeongnam National University, chairman of the Seoul Songpa-byeong district of the People Power Party, running for Seoul mayor. Photo by Joohee Kang kjh818@asiae.co.kr

- Where should Korean conservatism go?

▲ First, we must break ties with the Taegeukgi faction that claims the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye was a fraud. They fight hard but not properly. Second, we must also deal with those who deny the May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising and our proud democratic history. Third, we need to address those who claim the April 15 general election was fraudulent; this has been partially addressed.

Going forward, if the People Power Party becomes a party rooted in Yeongnam or dominated by Yeongnam vested interests, there is no hope. Change and innovation, so-called 'change of mindset,' are necessary. It is not about driving out vested interests but walking together without letting them dominate.

A rational, capable, and politically savvy new and fresh force must become the mainstream in our party to lead the presidential primary.

Only then will the public clearly feel that our party has changed. First, we must win the Seoul mayoral election and show the public that the mainstream of our party has changed.