Kim Woong Announces Run for People Power Party Leader... "If Hong Jun-pyo Apologizes, Path to Rejoining Party Is Open" (Summary)

Party Reform Promises Including Nomination Reform and Expansion of Youth Political Opportunities
"If Elected Party Leader, I Will Sacrifice Myself by Running in Difficult Districts"

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Kim Woong, a member of the People Power Party, officially declared his candidacy for the party leadership election on the 13th. Kim said, "Only new figures can embody the hope of a new era," promising an "irreversible change." Regarding the return of independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo to the People Power Party, he acknowledged that he opposed it but also mentioned that he opened the door for Hong to return if he apologizes or takes similar actions.

On the same day, Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office, stating, "The four years under the Moon Jae-in administration were a time of terrible suffering for all of us," and added, "Yet, we (People Power Party) are still being ignored by the public." He said, "The people have not forgotten the painful memories of our party," and "Only new hope and change can cover those painful memories."

Kim Woong, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

As a first-term lawmaker, Kim said, "What the people are demanding from us now is irreversible change," and "I want to be the beginning of that irreversible change."

He identified reforming the candidate nomination process as the top priority reform task. Kim said, "To break away from factional politics and the old politics known as 'hotteok nomination,' strict nomination rules are necessary," adding, "We will establish a permanent Nomination Management Committee and settle a system where nominations are decided through long-term candidate suitability and competitiveness assessments." He continued, "We will establish nomination rules that the party leader or supreme council members can never intervene in, and I will personally relinquish all authority over the nomination process in the next local elections to guarantee fairness."

Additionally, he promised to allocate 30% of nominations for basic and metropolitan local governments to youth aged 20 to 39. Furthermore, he said, "The future the People Power Party must pursue is an engineering party that scientifically improves the lives of the people," and "We will invite candidates for the secretary-general position from management or engineering backgrounds to bring a breeze of change to our party."

He also announced plans to establish a ‘Korean-style Heritage Foundation’ with a fund of 10 billion won to build a youth political ecosystem.

Kim said, "If I become party leader, I will either run in a difficult district or act as a supporter for the party in the next general election, depending on what the party wants," and "I will practice the self-sacrifice that our party leaders have failed to show so far."

Kim also shared his thoughts on the controversial return of independent lawmaker Hong Joon-pyo to the party. He said, "I know well that many people besides me oppose Hong’s return," and described the internal atmosphere as "there are so many concerns individually that it almost causes internal strife within the party." He introduced Hong’s mention of an 'upgrade' regarding his return, saying, "He presented the only way to enter the party." He added, "In this situation, if he or his juniors avoid causing friction with the party, promise not to say the same things as before, and coolly apologize to those who were hurt back then, he can come back anytime. I have created a good path, and now (Hong) will understand."

Regarding former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl, Kim said, "It is better for him to join quickly after the party convention," and added, "Instead of spending precious time trying to create a party in the third zone, since the traditional supporters of our party and Yoon’s supporters overlap, it is right for him to join quickly."