Kim Jong-in: "It Is Wise for the Presidential Office Not to Take Interest in the Party Leader Election"

"You Shouldn't Talk About This and That"
Common Sense Ending Expected

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in stated that the Presidential Office does not need to take excessive interest in the March 8 party convention.

On the 3rd, Kim told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "It is wisest for the Presidential Office not to pay attention to the party leader election," adding, "The Presidential Office should not make various comments about the party leader selection."

Kim, who joined the party to recover from the 2020 general election defeat, changed the party name to People Power Party and led the unification between then Seoul mayoral candidates Oh Se-hoon and Ahn Cheol-soo in the April 7, 2021 by-election, leading to victory. He is credited with successfully rebuilding the conservative landscape that had collapsed due to the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. He served as the overall election campaign chairman during President Yoon Seok-youl’s candidacy but resigned voluntarily due to conflicts with pro-Yoon lawmakers.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Kim also evaluated that the Presidential Office’s confrontation with former lawmaker Na Kyung-won, who intended to run for party leader, was not a good situation. In a radio interview, he said, "I do not understand why the Presidential Office reacted so strongly to the personal opinions Na Kyung-won expressed as Vice Chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee," adding, "Since various discussions can arise regarding low birthrate measures, it should be considered as part of a debate process, so I don’t know why they responded so excessively."

When asked about the outlook for this party convention, Kim, also known as an ‘election expert,’ confidently said, "It will go according to common sense." Even though the election is conducted solely by 100% party member votes, he said, "It will turn out as the general public thinks, so just wait and see."

However, Kim refrained from making direct comments about the party leader candidates. He said, "I am a person unrelated to the party. There is no reason for me to talk about which candidate is what," and held back his words.

He recently met with lawmaker Ahn Cheol-soo and reportedly advised that the metropolitan area will be important in next year’s general election. He also met with lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun at the end of last year and exchanged long well-wishes.