Gominjeong: "Yoon Seok-yeol refers to Kim Jong-in, who is 20 years his senior, as 'that gentleman'... Diminishing the elder statesman's words"

Regarding Questions About Kim Jong-in... Yoon Seok-yeol: "Don't Ask About That Person"
Goh Min-jeong: "Kim Jong-in Is a Veteran Who Has Faced Political Turmoil... His Outcome Is Too Meager"

Ko Min-jung, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] Regarding Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, referring to former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in as 'that gentleman,' Go Min-jung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, pointed out that "the end of a senior who has weathered political storms is truly pitiful."

On the 24th, Go posted on her Facebook, saying, "Yoon Seok-yeol referred to Kim Jong-in, who is about 20 years older, as 'that gentleman.'" She also shared her remarks made on a radio broadcast.

Earlier that day, Go appeared on YTN Radio's 'Starting New Morning' and was asked about any contact between former Chairman Kim and the Democratic Party. She responded, "If you ask whether I know or don't know about the matter, I don't know. I haven't confirmed it," adding, "But of course, there would be friendships with Democratic Party members. So, they might meet privately. However, I don't know if it was done officially."

When the host mentioned, "It seems that former Chairman Kim is not joining Yoon's campaign team," Go said, "Former Chairman Kim said he would 'return to daily life,'" and added, "There was news that he had been meeting and coordinating with Yoon and the key officials forming the campaign team, but at this point, saying 'I will return to daily life' seems to draw a line, indicating he will no longer be involved."

Go then stated, "What is more important is Yoon's reaction to that. He said 'that gentleman,'" and pointed out, "Former Chairman Kim was born in 1940, and Yoon was born in 1960. That's a 20-year difference," adding, "The term 'that gentleman' is usually used for someone younger or when one is angry."

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, is leaving a restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, after meeting with former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in on the 24th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

She continued, "If they were of similar age, such a remark might come out, but (former Chairman Kim) is an elder with a significant age gap," and said, "I wonder how former Chairman Kim felt hearing that. After all, he is a senior who has endured numerous political storms, and to hear such words at the end seems truly pitiful."

Go's remarks appear to criticize Yoon's comment on the 23rd when asked by reporters about former Chairman Kim's joining the campaign team, saying, "I don't know. Please don't ask me about that gentleman's words."

Meanwhile, it is reported that Yoon's campaign team appointments at the headquarters level are in the final stages. According to media reports, the campaign's General Organization Headquarters Chief is Representative Joo Ho-young, Policy General Headquarters Chief is former Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, General Special Advisor Group Leader is Representative Kwon Young-se, Public Relations Media Headquarters Chief is Representative Lee Jun-seok, Functional General Headquarters Chief is former Representative Kim Sung-tae, and Party Affairs Support Headquarters Chief is Secretary-General Kwon Seong-dong.

However, the position of Overall Campaign Chairman, who will lead the campaign, is reportedly left vacant for now. The possibility of former Chairman Kim joining as Overall Campaign Chairman remains uncertain, and this seems to be taken into consideration.