Without Kim Jong-in... Kim Byung-joon Leads the People Power Party's Election Committee

Standing Chief Election Committee Chair Single-Top System
"Time to Run Saving Every Second"
Possibility of Kim Joining Remains Open

Kim Byung-joon, Standing Election Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, holds a press conference regarding his position at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 26th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy reporters Hyunju Lee, Boryeong Geum, and Juni Park] The People Power Party's election campaign committee has started with Kim Byung-joon as the sole standing campaign committee chairman. On the 26th, Chairman Kim held a press conference at the party headquarters and stated, "I plan to devote everything I have to this election," adding, "Starting tomorrow, I will come to the standing chairman's office at the party headquarters and do everything I can."

Chairman Kim expressed that even though the position of ‘General Campaign Committee Chairman’ prepared for former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in remains vacant, the campaign activities cannot be delayed now that the appointments of the working-level staff have been announced. Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, announced the appointments of headquarters chiefs the day before, excluding the general campaign chairman position. Kim said, "The working staff are doing their best, and there are some delays due to the general chairman issue," adding, "Once the headquarters chiefs are appointed, I believe I will have to appear in some form." This aligns with Yoon’s remark at the Supreme Council meeting the previous day that "It is unacceptable for the campaign to be delayed; every minute and second must be saved and used efficiently."

Regarding the uncertainty of former Chairman Kim’s joining, he refrained from commenting, saying, "I think not saying more is to prevent confusion and is a matter of courtesy." When asked if he might take on the role of general campaign chairman instead of former Chairman Kim, he responded, "I’m speaking hypothetically, but is there any reason to change the title?"

Meanwhile, former Chairman Kim did not express any intention to join the campaign committee on this day either. On the morning commute near Gwanghwamun, he did not respond to reporters’ questions with a stern expression. However, the People Power Party still keeps the possibility of former Chairman Kim’s joining open. On this day, Representative Choi Seung-jae of the People Power Party visited former Chairman Kim’s office in person and told reporters, "In the future, I will visit with first-term lawmakers in the capacity of a secretary."