[2023 Click Political Figures] Kim Gi-hyeon, Capturing 'Yoon's Heart' and Now 'Party's Heart'?

Preparing to Challenge Party Leadership Since Last Summer
'If I Promise, I Always Keep It' Is the Motto

Editor's NoteThe year 2023, the Year of the Black Rabbit, has dawned. The political landscape of a ruling party minority opposition majority, resulting from last year's regime change, is expected to lead to fierce power struggles between the ruling and opposition parties this year as well. We have selected 10 politicians to watch closely as they attempt to solve the complex political equations in Yeouido.

"When I was in high school, I dated a girl one year younger and promised, 'Let's definitely get married.' About 13 years later, when we became adults, my parents strongly opposed it. However, I said, 'We already made a promise, and if I don't keep it, I don't think I can even be a judge,' and managed to get their approval to marry. That girl is now my wife."

[Asia Economy Reporter Geum Bo-ryeong] As the schedule for the People Power Party's leadership election was finalized, Representative Kim Ki-hyun, who was the first to announce his candidacy, lives by the motto "If I make a promise, I keep it." After becoming floor leader in April 2021, when the party's approval rating was stuck in the mid-20% range, he fulfilled his pledge to raise the approval rating to 40%. The party convention held on March 8 is a moment Kim has been waiting for since last summer.

One of the biggest events for the ruling party in the first half of this year is the party convention. This by-election-like convention, held after former party leader Lee Jun-seok stepped down before completing his term, will select a figure to reconcile internal party conflicts and lead the party in next year's general election. Since the ruling party's nomination rights are at stake, competition within the party is already fierce.

Among the more than a dozen candidates vying for party leadership, Kim is the most notable because of the so-called 'Yoon-sim (尹心),' meaning President Yoon Suk-yeol's intention. Kim was the only candidate who had a private year-end dinner meeting with President Yoon at the end of last year, and is considered to be aligned with the direction indicated by Yoon-sim. At a press conference held at the National Assembly Communication Office on the 27th of last month, he said, "I am the most suitable person to lead the party into a mode of unity by creating a consensus through candid communication with President Yoon Suk-yeol."

He is also preparing to rally support through the so-called 'Kim-Jang alliance' with Representative Jang Je-won, an original 'Yoon core insider' (key figure close to President Yoon). After declaring his candidacy, Kim told reporters, "I think the kimchi is all made now," adding, "We need to boil the soybean paste stew hot and prepare warm bowls of rice." This is interpreted as his determination to secure party leadership through 'unification' amid a tight race with more than 10 candidates for party leader.

No Clear Enemies and Smooth Interpersonal Relations Are Strengths... 10% Approval Rating Remains a Challenge

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim's strengths include maintaining smooth interpersonal relationships both inside and outside the party and having no clear enemies. After being elected floor leader in April 2021, he led the People Power Party's floor for a year and was regarded as 'steady.' Notably, the party secured the position of chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee in the second half of the 21st National Assembly, achieving remarkable results in negotiations with the Democratic Party. A re-elected member of the People Power Party said, "Kim doesn't seem to have a tendency to make enemies," explaining, "He is a leader who tries to get along well with everyone." Another senior lawmaker said, "Rather than having a distinct style, he is steady, so he doesn't have many enemies."

A former judge, Kim is a four-term lawmaker representing Nam-gu Eul in Ulsan and is regarded as having a well-rounded experience in both legislative and administrative fields, having served as mayor of Ulsan during the 6th local government term.

The mountain he must overcome is 'approval rating.' Although he prepared early for the party convention, his single-digit approval ratings have been a stumbling block. However, the steady upward trend is positive. Recent polls show him reaching double-digit approval ratings, rising to second place in the 'People Power Party next party leader suitability' category. Kim's campaign spokesperson Kim Ye-ryeong said, "There are many unofficial supporters and groups coming forward to help Kim," adding, "He is already gaining strength and energy."