"End of Kim Jong-in Regime?" Oh Se-hoon Says Yes, Na Kyung-won Says No

Na Kyung-won and Oh Se-hoon, candidates for the Seoul mayoral primary of the People Power Party, attended the third head-to-head debate for Seoul mayoral preliminary candidates at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 23rd of last month, exchanging fist bumps. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim So-young] Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, both preliminary candidates for Seoul mayor, expressed differing opinions on whether to continue the emergency committee system led by Kim Jong-in, the chairman of the People Power Party's emergency committee.

On the afternoon of the 1st, during a joint debate among four People Power Party preliminary candidates for Seoul mayor held at TV Chosun in Jung-gu, Seoul, the two were asked, "There is talk that Chairman Kim Jong-in might disappear before the April 7 by-elections. Do you agree that the Kim Jong-in system should end?" Former Mayor Oh was the only one among the four candidates to respond with an 'O' (yes), indicating his agreement.

Former Mayor Oh said, "(Chairman Kim) has really worked hard so far. My argument is that our party needs to expand its outreach toward the center, and I am grateful for his dedicated efforts for the party," but added, "Unfortunately, because he came from outside to do this work, such changes are not conveyed to the public as fundamental changes of our party."

He continued, "In the future, we should elect our party leader from within, showing a true commitment to conservatism while advancing toward the center," and added, "Expanding the centrist outreach internally and through our own strength will earn greater public trust."

On the other hand, former lawmaker Na Kyung-won opposed the question "Should the Kim Jong-in system end?" by responding with an 'X' (no). However, Na did not receive additional speaking time on this question. Meanwhile, all four candidates agreed on the necessity of unification with Ahn Cheol-soo, the leader of the People’s Party.