Yoon Seok-yeol Likely to Join People Power Party... Kim Jong-in Dismisses, "Nothing to Say"

Kim Jong-in and Geum Tae-seop's 'Third Zone Theory' Sinks Below the Surface

Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol met with Professor Mo Jong-rin of Yonsei University Graduate School of International Studies and current affairs commentator Jang Ye-chan in Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul on the night of the 1st.
Photo by Jang Ye-chan

[Asia Economy Reporters Hyunju Lee and Juni Park] As it has been virtually concluded that former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-yeol will join the People Power Party, the position of former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, who was trying to forge a new path in the third zone, has become ambiguous. Although Kim has not revealed any concrete plans, it seems he had envisioned rallying around Yoon if the latter sought his help. When asked about Kim’s reaction to Yoon’s entry into the People Power Party, Kim indirectly expressed displeasure.

In a phone call on the 2nd, former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim said, "I have nothing to say to that person (former Prosecutor General Yoon)." He added, "He can meet whoever he wants to meet, and I have nothing to say about that. Since I am completely a private citizen, I have no need to comment." He refused to comment on Yoon’s political moves, which have become more concrete recently, including meetings with various experts and contacts with politicians affiliated with the People Power Party.

Former Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

The idea of Yoon as a third zone candidate was first initiated by former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop. It was a ‘alternative party nature’ concept considering Yoon’s difficulty in joining the two major parties. This speculation gained momentum after Geum, who held such a view, met with former Chairman Kim shortly after the April 7 by-elections. However, Yoon himself has clearly distanced himself from the third zone. After the by-elections, Yoon called former Chairman Kim once but did not have a separate meeting. It is believed that Yoon’s third zone efforts were halted around that time.

Since then, as Yoon has contacted several People Power Party lawmakers multiple times, the rumor of his party entry has solidified into a fait accompli. Amid the heightened atmosphere inside the People Power Party due to the party convention’s success, it is understood that most of the lawmakers who met Yoon encouraged him to join. Yoon’s presidential campaign team is also gradually taking shape. His side stated that instead of setting up a large-scale campaign, they are considering forming a team of fewer than five, or at most ten members. The previous evening, Yoon met with Professor Mo Jong-rin of Yonsei University’s Graduate School of International Studies to continue his presidential studies, including discussions about local small businesses.