"Is It Appropriate to Consider Malicious Comments as Seasoning?"
[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Ki-hyun, a presidential candidate of the People Power Party, said he met former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who declared she would not run, at an event two days ago and confirmed their trust. He expressed confidence that if she supports anyone, it would be him. Regarding volleyball player Kim Yeon-kyung, who received a barrage of malicious comments for posting a photo taken together, he said, "I felt sorry."
On the 30th, Kim said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "Anyone, not just politicians, can express their political opinions, but when it becomes as if they are politicians and they get attacked by the opposing camp, I think that is not a desirable culture," expressing his view.
Earlier, Kim posted a photo on his social media with player Kim and singer Nam Jin, which led to netizens with opposing political views to the People Power Party flooding Kim's SNS with malicious comments, causing controversy.
Kim said, "I was invited to a dinner, and I was told that player Kim and singer Nam would be there, so I went, and they were there," adding, "I posted the photo with their consent."
He continued, "I remember President Moon Jae-in once said something quite painful, telling people to consider malicious comments as just seasoning. But is it really appropriate for the highest leader of society to say that about malicious comments? Then how can our society secure freedom of expression and political participation? I hope we can move away from an abnormal society and return to a normal one," he added.
On the 25th, after former lawmaker Na declared she would not run, lawmakers Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim exchanged love calls. Ahn's camp spokesperson, former lawmaker Kim Young-woo, revealed that "Na replied to a text message with a smile emoticon." Kim also said, "(Na) called me, but I didn't answer; however, she replied to my text message, and last Saturday, I went to another event, met her, and we sat next to each other and talked for a long time. We have a basic trust between us," showing their friendship.
He added, "If former lawmaker Na supports a candidate, she will naturally support me. I expect that," he said. When asked if it was awkward, he replied, "We have worked in the same party for nearly 20 years, so what could be awkward? I believe we have built trust over a long time, and because of that trust, I invited former lawmaker Na to a study meeting I host as a lecturer, and we listened to her together," emphasizing their relationship.
Kim is currently showing his strength by holding a series of large-scale launch events. His competitor, lawmaker Ahn, criticized, "Is it really in line with the purpose of this party convention to just gather a lot of people unconditionally?" In response, Kim said, "Isn't the party convention about winning by getting many votes from voters? So, many voters are showing their support for me, which perfectly aligns with the purpose of the party convention," he rebutted.
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