Kim Jong-min's "I will serve well" comment... Sim Sang-jung says "No unification"

"Jin Joong-kwon: I Will Definitely Vote for Sim Sang-jung on March 9"

Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, is speaking at a meeting of the Korea Automobile Specialized Maintenance Business Association Federation for a Just Green Transition held on the morning of the 25th at the office of the Korea Automobile Specialized Maintenance Business Association Federation in Geumcheon-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim So-young] Sim Sang-jung, the Justice Party presidential candidate, made it clear that there is "no talk of unification" with Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, saying, "Talk of unification is mainly discussed as an election strategy (in political circles). That does not exist."

On the 28th, Sim appeared on CBS Radio's 'One Match' and said, "This time will be a showdown between the old 34-year two-party system and the third zone, including our Justice Party," adding, "It is especially difficult to explain the presidential election landscape centered on the Democratic Party."

Regarding Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min's earlier appearance on the same program, where he said about the Justice Party, "The third force will become extremely important in this election. So we will carefully court each individual," Sim sharply responded, "He does not properly understand the people's hearts. The public will probably see this as very arrogant."

When asked if his recent mention of a "coalition government with the Democratic Party" implied unification, he explained, "There was a misunderstanding during the process of giving an example," adding, "It is the national governance strategy for forming the Sim Sang-jung administration if I become president."

He then addressed former Dongyang University professor Jin Jung-kwon, a regular panelist on the program, saying, "If I don't unify with the Democratic Party, won't you vote for me?" and claimed, "Professor Jin was about to vote for Sim Sang-jung but became undecided; however, on March 9 next year, he will definitely vote for Sim Sang-jung."

In response, Professor Jin pointed out, "The public opinion for regime change is now close to 50-60%, and looking at how the 180 seats have been used so far, forming a coalition with those people gives progressive party supporters like us an unbearable sense of humiliation."

To this, Sim replied, "Because you keep asking about unification with the Democratic Party, I wanted to say that the Democratic Party can also be a subordinate partner in a coalition government, even as the majority party. I used them as an example of a party that agrees on inequality and the climate crisis. I admit that many people, like Professor Jin, misunderstand because they cannot keep up with the government plans after the Sim Sang-jung administration takes power."