Kim Jong-in Accepts Role as Chief Election Committee Chairman for Yoon's Camp... 'Yoon-Lee Conflict' Also Resolved (Comprehensive)

Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, and Lee Jun-seok, the party leader, are shaking hands before a dinner meeting at a restaurant in Ulju-gun, Ulsan on the 3rd.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Former People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in agreed on the 3rd to take the helm of the election campaign committee for Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate. Yoon announced, "Former Chairman Kim has accepted the position of overall campaign committee chairman."

On the same day, Yoon traveled to Ulju, Ulsan, where he held a three-way meeting with party leader Lee Jun-seok and floor leader Kim Ki-hyun. After the meeting, Yoon said, "I have an announcement," adding, "As the overall campaign committee chairman, Kim Jong-in will oversee and coordinate all party affairs until the presidential election in accordance with the party constitution and regulations, and will lead the election campaign organization."

With Yoon’s announcement, internal conflicts within the People Power Party regarding the launch of the campaign committee have entered a phase of reconciliation. It had been reported that there were differences between Yoon and Kim over the issue of full authority over the campaign committee. Following this dinner meeting, with the appointment of the campaign committee’s leader, the committee is now able to officially launch on the 6th.

Yoon said, "Chairman Kim will lead this campaign committee," and added, "We will all help and support him to lead it well." He also stated, "I believe Standing Campaign Committee Chairman Kim Byung-joon will do his best to assist Chairman Kim Jong-in in leading the campaign committee effectively."

According to People Power Party officials, Yoon’s side had been working to persuade Chairman Kim.

Besides the issue of the campaign committee leadership, Yoon and Lee also reached an agreement on party operations on the same day.

Both sides stated, "Regarding important matters related to the presidential election, the candidate, party leader, and floor leader will closely share all information and strengthen direct communication," adding, "In particular, they agreed that active communication and policy efforts toward the younger generation are the most important aspects of this election."

Regarding the candidate’s priority in party affairs, they agreed, "The candidate will request necessary matters related to the election from the party leader, and the party leader will respect and follow the candidate’s intentions, interpreting this as the candidate’s priority in party affairs." This implies that Lee’s authority will be respected during the election process.

Additionally, both sides said, "Regarding various other matters, the candidate, party leader, and floor leader will unite without any wavering to fulfill the public’s desire for a change of government."