'No Entry Even If Arriving an Hour Early'... 3,000 People Flock to Kim Gi-hyeon Camp Opening Ceremony

Over 3,000 Gather at 64-Pyeong Camp
Some Lawmakers Unable to Enter
Former President Lee Myung-bak Also Delivers Congratulatory Speech

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] It was an occasion to confirm the 'trend.' The opening ceremony of the party leader election camp held by Kim Ki-hyun, a candidate for the People Power Party leadership, on the 9th was packed with party members, fellow lawmakers, and party elders from all over the country, leaving no room to stand. Party members who traveled by chartered buses began to gather more than an hour before the ceremony started, and the venue was so full that some lawmakers could not enter.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On that day, 'Kim Ki-hyun's Winning Camp' held its opening ceremony at 2 p.m. at the Daesan Building in Yeouido, Seoul, officially kicking off the election campaign. Inside the National Assembly, Deputy Speaker Chung Woo-taek, lawmakers Park Deok-heum and Kim Do-eup attended, along with standing advisors Hwang Woo-yeo and Yoo Jun-sang, former Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee In-je, and former Deputy Speaker Lee Byung-seok. Kim's wife also attended and sat right next to him.

According to the camp, about 3,000 party members and lawmakers attended the opening ceremony, filling the 64-pyeong (approximately 211 square meters) venue. On the stairs leading to the 4th floor where the event was held, party members lined up, raising their voices saying, "We have been waiting for an hour. Why can't we get in?" Due to the crowd, some lawmakers, except for about 40, could not enter the ceremony and had to turn back. Camp spokesperson Kim Ye-ryeong said, "Many lawmakers are outside because it is too crowded to enter."

Breaking through the crowd and clenching his fists, Kim emphasized the 'legitimacy of conservatism.' He said, "The first catchphrase I have with me in this party convention is legitimacy, roots," adding, "Based on my legitimacy, having steadfastly protected the party despite disadvantages and harsh storms, I want to once again establish the conservative party on a solid foundation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He clearly drew a line against the 'party leader running in the metropolitan area' advocated by another leadership candidate, lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun. Kim stated, "The metropolitan public opinion evaluates how well our country is doing and how well the party is working, not where the party leader's electoral district is."

He also said, "Next year, in the metropolitan area, if our party remains united without splitting, moves forward as a single front, selects candidates through a fair system, and nominates them, we will definitely win (the general election)." Standing advisor Hwang Woo-yeo also said in his congratulatory speech, "People in the metropolitan area think of those who love the country and worry about the country as metropolitan people."

Former President Lee Myung-bak: "I hope lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun takes the lead for the success of the Yoon administration"

Former President Lee Myung-bak also sent a written congratulatory message to Kim's camp opening ceremony. Lee said, "Although the regime change has been achieved, the path ahead for the People Power Party remains difficult. Unity and solidarity are more important than anything else," adding, "Through this party convention, I hope 'One United People Power' is created and that lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun takes the lead so that the Yoon Seok-yeol administration can succeed."

In response, Kim said, "I contacted former President Lee, asking if he would kindly send his heartfelt message, and he sent a written congratulatory message," adding, "In the case of former President Park Geun-hye, I indirectly conveyed the intention, but since she is not currently active publicly, it is a bit difficult at the moment," he said.