Kim Jong-in: "Even if I were Yoon, I wouldn't try to take the bus... Since Choi took it, everyone took it"

Kim Jong-in, former Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is delivering a congratulatory speech at the launch ceremony of 'Hope Oreum,' a group of incumbent lawmakers supporting Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju, held on the 7th at the Small and Medium Business Center in Yeouido, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] Former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in predicted, "With former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung also on the People Power Party primary bus, everyone is on board," adding, "(Former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl) will find it difficult to get on the bus given the current situation."

On the 16th, Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "I don't know if a few more people will come out from within the party, but as for outsiders getting on, I think it's over."

Regarding the possibility of Yoon joining, he said, "If I were Yoon, I would still try to get on that bus. If his approval rating rises, there would be no reason to get on the bus," he forecasted.

He went on to criticize Yoon's recent actions, saying, "(Yoon) should have expressed his position and presented his vision around mid-May," adding, "He completely failed to do so."

He analyzed, "People are now questioning what he is doing, so his support rate is stagnating and has recently shown a tendency to decline slightly."

Regarding Yoon's entry into the People Power Party, he said, "Is there anything special that anyone can do for him if he joins? He would just become one of many candidates running for president within the party; it's not like he alone would receive special treatment."

Kim emphasized, "One should not fall into the illusion that early-stage support alone can make someone president," adding, "Timing is crucial."

However, he added, "If Yoon moves in a different way, I think there is a possibility to improve his support rating beyond the current level," and "He needs to quickly assemble a team that can support him. Even after several months, this has not been properly done."

Meanwhile, regarding former Board of Audit and Inspection Chairman Choi Jae-hyung, who abruptly joined the People Power Party on the 15th, Kim analyzed, "It seems he had the intention to enter politics since his tenure as chairman," and "He probably thought he needed a political platform and thus joined suddenly."

He continued, "He has not clearly explained why he is participating in politics in his own way," and criticized, "Vague statements alone cannot convince the public."