Kim Jong-in: "Yoon Seok-yeol and Choi Jae-hyung's Participation in the Opposition Primary Is Merely a Wish"

"No candidates without party base can participate"
Democratic Party candidate expected to be Lee Jae-myung, no confirmed opposition candidate yet

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in predicted on the 24th that the opposition will hold the People Power Party presidential primary like the Seoul mayoral election, followed by a unification process in the third zone.

On the 24th, former Chairman Kim appeared on YTN broadcast and shared his outlook on next year's presidential election.

Former Chairman Kim said, "The People Power Party hopes that all potential presidential candidates will join the party and compete in the primary, but this is wishful thinking," adding, "It is almost impossible for presidential hopefuls to simply jump into a group without certainty and compete in a primary."

He pointed out, "Those currently outside have no base within the People Power Party," and said, "People without any base entering the party to compete in the primary is uncertain because the rules of the primary have not yet been decided." Former Chairman Kim added, "Since party members have about 50% influence in selecting the presidential candidate, those who have long roots in the party inevitably have an advantage."

Former Chairman Kim also expressed the view that presidential candidates outside the party will likely build their forces first and then unify. He said, "People like former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl are leading in support, so they have no choice but to think about how to build their power based on this."

He has previously expressed the belief that Lee Jae-myung, Governor of Gyeonggi Province, is highly likely to be the ruling party's presidential candidate. Former Chairman Kim said, "(I still) think so," adding, "There is no one in the opposition who can be definitively confirmed as a candidate to face Governor Lee."

He said that to become the opposition's presidential candidate in next year's election, a clear vision to present to the public is necessary. Former Chairman Kim said, "Our country faces various urgent problems," adding, "Recently, due to real estate issues, the MZ generation has fallen into near despair, leading them to pour their passion into things like cryptocurrencies. It will be possible to win the presidency only if a clear vision of 'this is what we will do' can be presented to the people."