Won Hee-ryong Leading 'Semoli'... "I Will Take the Lead in the One Team for Regime Change"

Former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in: "Won Hee-ryong is a Promising Figure"

Jeju Province Governor Won Hee-ryong attended the launch ceremony of the 'Hope Oreum Forum' held at the Small and Medium Business Hall in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 7th. Before the event began, he was seen talking with former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in. 'Hope Oreum' is a group of lawmakers supporting Governor Won, with about 30 members listed. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kum Bo-ryeong] Won Hee-ryong, the opposition presidential candidate and Governor of Jeju Province, has started a 'momentum gathering' based on the support of People Power Party lawmakers. Governor Won emphasized a 'one team' for regime change.

On the morning of the 7th, the 'Hope Oreum Forum,' a research group of National Assembly members, held its inaugural ceremony and officially launched at the Small and Medium Business Hall in Yeouido, Seoul.

The Hope Oreum Forum, which supports Governor Won, has the goal of "becoming a stepping stone for a new leap forward for the Republic of Korea in accordance with the people's demand for fairness, hope, and freedom and the mission of the times." Rep. Eom Tae-young of the People Power Party and Professor Emeritus Jo Jang-ok of Sogang University serve as co-chairs, and Rep. Koo Ja-geun of the People Power Party serves as secretary.

Notably, about 30 first-term lawmakers, including Kang Min-guk, Bae Jun-young, Lee Young, and Heo Eun-ah, signed on as founding members of the Hope Oreum Forum. Considering there are 56 first-term lawmakers in the People Power Party, more than half expressed support for Governor Won. Regarding this, Governor Won said in a meeting with reporters after the event, "I think the lawmakers share the will that good candidates within the People Power Party should be actively created through vigorous competition." He explained, "We will listen carefully to the people's hearts, propose policies, and especially become a central force in various innovations within the party to firmly cut off concerns that the People Power Party will return to its past image." Known as the 'original small reform faction' in the conservative party, Governor Won raised his voice, saying, "I will take the lead in political reform demanded by the current era, a political reform that even the younger generation can acknowledge."

Through Governor Won, the People Power Party's 'self-strengthening theory' gained momentum. Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, who gave a congratulatory speech that day, said, "There is a perception that a presidential candidate cannot emerge from the People Power Party, but I believe Governor Won is a figure with potential if he does not lose hope and continues." He added, "The People Power Party must enter next year's presidential election with the will that we can produce the party's presidential candidate by our own strength." Kim also said, "I think Governor Won is well aware of the advice not to give up hope and to develop it so that it can be realized," and urged, "Please actively support Governor Won, who is challenging the future, so that the intended goal can be achieved."

Governor Won also expressed the view that 'opposition unification' is essential for regime change. He said, "All opposition candidates who want regime change should declare that they will accept unification and cooperate no matter what happens," and promised and declared, "I will take the lead and play a role in creating a one team for opposition regime change and stand at the forefront of making one team regardless of any results or situations."

Meanwhile, Governor Won is contemplating when to resign from his governorship. Regarding a report that he plans to resign on the 11th, he said, "Since the Governor of Jeju Province is responsible for COVID-19 quarantine, it cannot be confirmed until just before," and added, "It is true that I am thinking a lot about reorganizing the posture, but it is not yet a situation to specify the date."