Joo Ho-young "Kim Jong-in Requested Honorary Chairman... Yoon Seok-yeol Cannot Run Alone in Presidential Election"

"Yoon: Political Funding Issue Will Be Resolved Upon Joining the Party"

Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a speech at the Central Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 5th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Joo Ho-young, acting leader of the People Power Party, announced on the 9th that he has requested former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in to take on the role of the party's standing advisor and that formal procedures will be followed.

On the same day, Joo appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' and said, "Although former Chairman Kim declined, we have decided to have him as the party's standing advisor for now," adding, "We will listen to his various insights and receive his help."

He said, "(Former Chairman Kim) said he would decline the standing advisor position, but we insisted and applauded," adding, "Formal procedures must be followed."

Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol, he said, "There has never been a successful third force in our country," and "A presidential candidate cannot sustain a long period alone without the backing of a major party." He added, "First, the issue of political funds necessary for activities is resolved upon joining a party; otherwise, all expenses must be covered personally," and "A presidential candidate outside a political party receiving help from others would violate the Political Funds Act."

Joo said, "If one truly intends to become president, staying outside the party for a long time is never advantageous," and added, "If former Yoon Seok-yeol understands these things well, integration or joining the party is a matter of timing; I believe the possibility of him remaining in the third force until the end is very low."

Regarding the timing, Joo said, "It depends on his choice," and added, "It should be decided before our party begins the procedure to select a presidential candidate." He also mentioned that although there is a unification method that Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and People's Party leader Ahn Cheol-soo used, it is unlikely that he can continue his presidential bid alone until then.