Kim Dong-yeon "Politics Fighting Over Ideology Must Change, No Intention to Join Either Major Party"

Former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Kim Dong-yeon is holding a meeting organized by the Gongju City Social Organizations Council at the Reverse Convention Grand Banquet Hall on Geumgang-daero, Gongju-si, Chungnam Province on August 4, 2021. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Hyun-joo] Former Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Kim Dong-yeon stated on the 4th, "The current politics of struggle, divided by camps and ideology, must change in some way," but also declared that he will not join either the Democratic Party of Korea or the People Power Party.

At a meeting invited by the Gongju Social Organizations Council on the same day, former Deputy Prime Minister Kim said, "In this structure where one side demands blind regime change and the other side insists on extending the regime at all costs, I believe the problems of the Republic of Korea cannot be resolved."

He pointed out, "There are no candidates currently talking about the future of the Republic of Korea; everyone is only talking about the past," and added, "Even those who talk about the economy lack philosophy, depth, and competence regarding economic issues." He also said, "The world order is changing day by day, but no political leader is discussing global matters," and questioned, "Will the problems that have been attempted to be solved over the past 20 years be resolved under this structure? I am very skeptical. This obvious game must change." To this end, former Deputy Prime Minister Kim advocated for a two-term system and a decentralized presidential system in his recent book, "Breaking the Taboos of the Republic of Korea."

After the meeting, Kim reiterated to reporters, "I have received direct and indirect contacts from both major parties, but I have no intention of belonging to either," and when asked about his evaluation of the Moon Jae-in administration, he responded, "It is not appropriate to evaluate," but added, "I regret that my proposals were not accepted."