[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] The ruling party's pro-Yoon (친윤) lawmakers' group known as 'Gukmin Gonggam' is set to officially launch on the 7th. However, Kim Jeong-jae, who serves as the secretary of the group, drew a clear line against speculation that the party leader might be endorsed within this group. The first meeting will also include lawmaker Jang Je-won, who declared his retreat to the second line following the 'Yun Core Group (윤핵관)' controversy.
On the 6th, Kim appeared on KBS Radio's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs' and responded to the host's question, "Isn't it possible that the party leader could be endorsed here?" by saying, "I don't think so. With 65 members, it's more like a party meeting, so how could there be an open discussion about endorsing someone together here?"
He added, "Ultimately, the party convention will depend on how we win the hearts of party members over time, which is important. Most lawmakers find it difficult to go against the will of party members," and emphasized, "They must also faithfully follow the opinions of their constituencies." This implies that endorsing a candidate who differs from the party sentiment within the group would be difficult.
The pro-Yoon faction's group 'Gukmin Gonggam' was originally planned to launch under the name 'Mindeulle' but was postponed amid internal party turmoil following former leader Lee Jun-seok's injunction. Since the opposition media outlet 'Mindeulle' had already released the list of victims from the Itaewon tragedy, the group changed its name to 'Gukmin Gonggam.'
Jang Je-won, who declared his retreat to the second line, will also attend the first meeting. Although he was a key figure when the group was being formed under the name 'Mindeulle,' he had previously declared he would not participate due to factional controversies. Kim stated, "Professor Kim Hyung-seok will be coming as a speaker, and anyone who wants to listen, even if they are not members, can attend. This will be announced in the common room for all lawmakers," adding, "So Jang Je-won can come, and any lawmaker like Kwon Seong-dong or anyone else who wants to attend can do so."
Regarding the remarks by floor leader Joo Ho-young and emergency committee chairman Jeong Jin-seok, who cited the support of the metropolitan area and MZ generation as conditions for the next party leader, and whether this reflects 'Yun's heart (윤심),' Kim said, "If you ask me, I would give the same answer. When we elect the party leader, we need a party leadership that the MZ generation can support, one that is fresh in thought and forward-looking, not bound by the past."
When asked if their remarks implied consideration of a 'Han Dong-hoon draft theory' given the reality that there are not many lawmakers from the metropolitan area within the party, Kim responded, "I don't think so at all," and explained, "What we are saying is that we need a party leader who can cover the party's weak areas, not about whether the lawmakers themselves are from the metropolitan area or the Yeongnam region."
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