Kim Geun-sik "People Power Party and People Party will unite someday... Let's stay true to the rationale for unification"

Supporters Wanting Unification Must Take the Lead
Must Include Centrist Voters and Taegukgi Units
"Let's Use Two Weeks of Opposition Time to Boost General Election Competitiveness"

Geun-sik Kim, Director of Vision Strategy at the People Power Party [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Juni Park] Kim Geun-sik, head of the Vision Strategy Office of the People Power Party, stated on the 3rd that they are considering a new unification method that even Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, who has high approval ratings in polls, can accept. He also said, "The People Power Party and the People’s Party will have to come together someday," emphasizing the need for unification that looks ahead to opposition realignment after the election.

On the same day, Kim appeared as a speaker at the 23rd meeting of the YouTube channel Myeongbulheojeonbosuda and said, "There is a method where numerous supporters who hope the unification does not break can directly participate as the main agents."

He proposed a fully open citizen participation approach to enhance competitiveness in the general election. Kim said, "The centrist voters who support candidate Ahn Cheol-soo and the Taegeukgi (militant) faction members uncomfortable with unification with Ahn can all directly participate in the unification election to select the candidate," adding, "Then, it can be structured so that everyone must accept the result." He continued, "Yesterday, Lee Tae-gyu, secretary-general of the People’s Party, said that People Power Party supporters also support candidate Ahn, so there is nothing to fear," and added, "Let’s not misunderstand and just faithfully adhere to the principles and legitimacy of unification."

As an example, he cited the 2011 unification method between former Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon and former Minister Park Young-sun. At that time, the candidate was decided by 40% citizen participation primary, 30% opinion polls, and 30% TV debate evaluation panel. Kim said, "Even though former Mayor Park Won-soon was an independent, it was accepted and he won," and added, "Ahn Cheol-soo should also take advantage of the two weeks of opposition time with an open mind to enhance competitiveness in the general election."

Kim also said, "If we consider desirable opposition realignment after the April 7 by-election, the presidential election landscape, and victory in next year’s presidential election, the People Power Party and the People’s Party will have to come together someday," adding, "If the unification process includes discussions on opposition realignment involving former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop and the third zone, it could gain momentum." He said that the consent of candidate Ahn Cheol-soo of the People’s Party is also necessary for this.

The appearance of Kim Geun-sik, Director of Vision Strategy at the People Power Party, and the first-term lawmakers of the People Power Party who participated in the 23rd session of Myeongbulheojeon Bosuda. (Provided by the office of Assemblywoman Heo Eun-ah)

He also expressed the view that the People Power Party must show voters that it has changed through unification. As the main opposition party, it must lower its pride and demonstrate a responsible attitude through in-depth unification discussions with the three-seat People’s Party. Kim said, "Although we have apologized several times, voters think the People Power Party has not changed," adding, "Including that, it is important to create an opportunity for further change and innovation throughout the process from this Seoul mayoral election to next year’s presidential election."