[Comprehensive] "Yoon Seok-yeol Won't Join People Power Party Either" Kim Jong-in's Harsh Criticism... Opposition Reacts with "Retired King Politics," "Are You Shaking the Party?"

After stepping down, continuous criticism from the opposition in media interviews
"What unity talk?", "A chaotic mess"
"Constant interference", "Cursed slurs" opposition backlash

Kim Jong-in, former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] After Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, stepped down following the April 7 Seoul and Busan mayoral by-elections, he unleashed harsh criticism toward the opposition party, prompting backlash from some People Power Party lawmakers. Kim criticized the opposition's post-election stance, saying they "cry out for the opposition to satisfy their desires," and likened the situation to an "Asaripan" (a chaotic state). In response, the People Power Party called it "an overstepping retired king’s politics."

Earlier, on the 11th, Kim had criticized the People Power Party in an interview with 'Yonhap News.' He said, "There is no such thing as the 'opposition' right now. A few people are just crying out for the opposition to satisfy their own desires," adding, "The People Power Party should stop looking outside and focus on internal discipline to become a self-sustaining party. What is this talk about grand unification?"

On the 14th, in an interview with 'Maeil Business Newspaper,' Kim again criticized the opposition. He strongly condemned the current situation of the People Power Party, which is about to elect new leadership, calling it an "Asaripan" (disorderly state).

He also said, "If things continue like this, the People Power Party has no chance in the presidential election," and criticized, "Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol will not join the People Power Party either. What benefit would he have to join?"

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol is leaving the polling booth after casting his vote on the first day of early voting for the April 7 Seoul mayoral by-election at an early voting station in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

In response to Kim’s remarks, voices of opposition arose within the People Power Party. Sudden criticism of the party he belonged to was seen as lacking propriety, and there were accusations that even after stepping down as emergency committee chairman, he was trying to influence the party’s future direction.

Earlier, on the 12th, People Power Party lawmaker Hong Moon-pyo released a statement titled "Words of Advice to Former Chairman Kim Jong-in," calling it "an overstepping retired king’s politics," and criticized, "If you keep telling us what to do at every turn, whose party is this?"

He added, "Now is the time to join hands and show great strength against the tyranny of the Moon Jae-in administration," and questioned, "How can some say ‘this person is qualified, that person is not,’ or ‘they don’t have what it takes,’ and say whatever they want?"

He further emphasized, "What is the difference between the Moon Jae-in administration’s arrogance and Kim Jong-in’s arrogance?" and stressed, "The People Power Party, with its 3 million members, will unify the opposition based on its traditional history and self-reliance to become a ruling party and achieve a change of government."

Jang Je-won, People Power Party lawmaker / Photo by Yonhap News

On the same day, lawmaker Jang Je-won of the same party targeted Kim Jong-in in a post on his Facebook, saying, "Just a little over a week after the election ended, he is spewing cursed remarks," and criticized it as "nothing but greedy party shaking."

He added, "Kim Jong-in’s ‘technician politics’ filled with old ambitions could plunge the presidential election phase into division and chaos," and scolded, "He endlessly hunts for highly possible presidential candidates and misleads them into thinking they can win the presidency if he helps."

Regarding Kim’s comment that "Former Prosecutor General Yoon will not join the People Power Party," Jang questioned, "If Yoon also falls into Kim’s trap and divides the opposition, it would be an unforgivable sin in history," and asked, "Is it possible to create a government without including the People Power Party?"