[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] 'Kim-Jang Alliance (Kim Ki-hyun-Jang Je-won)', 'Yoon-An Alliance (Yoon Sang-hyun-Ahn Cheol-soo)', 'Kim-Na Alliance (Kim Ki-hyun-Na Kyung-won)'... At every major turning point in this party convention, there was an 'alliance.' Political interpretations changed and approval ratings fluctuated depending on who was allied with whom. Another point to consider when watching the party convention is to look back at the records of these alliances.
Kim Ki-hyun, a member of the People Power Party, and Jang Je-won attended the study group 'National Sympathy' held at the National Assembly on the 7th, exchanging greetings. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@
① Where is Yoon's Heart? The Kim-Jang Alliance
The Kim-Jang Alliance surfaced around early December last year, coinciding with the first 국민공감 (National Sympathy) event. Officially, it was presented as a study group to support the Yoon Seok-yeol administration, but a closer look at the leaders of the group shows it was closer to a 'pro-Yoon (친윤)' faction meeting. After Kim Ki-hyun met with President Yoon Seok-yeol for dinner at the end of November, he also held a private meeting with Jang Je-won, who is considered a key 'Yoon core figure (윤핵관),' the day before the 국민공감 event, which rapidly fueled the Kim-Jang Alliance theory. Since then, they exchanged remarks like "You have to date to get married," and "Dating is my specialty," solidifying their alliance.
The core of this alliance was to raise Kim's approval rating, who had low public recognition, through Jang's mediation. Indeed, before the Kim-Jang Alliance, Kim's approval rating was only in the 5th place range, but after the alliance became active, he climbed to the 3rd place range and even reached 1st place among supporters after former lawmaker Na Kyung-won was dismissed from her position as Vice Chair of the Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee. However, after raising his approval rating to some extent, Kim announced the end of the alliance, saying, "The term Kim-Jang Alliance is already outdated."
② The Two Meanings of the 'Yoon-An Alliance'
While the Kim-Jang Alliance was maturing, another alliance centered around Ahn Cheol-soo emerged. This was the 'Yoon-An Alliance,' a group of lawmakers from the metropolitan area constituencies. It began to take shape in early January this year when Ahn agreed with Yoon Sang-hyun's 'party leader running in the metropolitan area' theory. The logic was that to win seats in the metropolitan area, where the People Power Party is weak, the leadership should also be filled with lawmakers from the metropolitan area. This gained momentum as floor leader Joo Ho-young and emergency committee chairman Jeong Jin-seok also voiced the need for a party leader who could appeal to the metropolitan area and the MZ generation. They were conscious that the main players of the Kim-Jang Alliance were lawmakers from the PK and TK regions, the party's strongholds.
Another Yoon-An Alliance also became a topic of discussion. Ahn promoted the alliance by emphasizing 'Yoon's heart (윤심),' suggesting that he and President Yoon Seok-yeol were unusually compatible, calling it the 'Yoon-An Alliance.' He even compared their relationship to that of soccer players Son Heung-min and Harry Kane. However, this alliance did not last long. The presidential office expressed displeasure at Ahn's mention of the Yoon-An Alliance and warned, "We hope such things do not happen again."
③ The 'Divorced Couple'-like Kim-Na Alliance: Will They Unite Against Ahn?
Former lawmaker Na Kyung-won's decision not to run led the election into another phase. Kim's momentum waned, and Ahn absorbed Na's support base, rising to first place. As the two-strong structure solidified, Na naturally played the role of a 'casting vote.' Both sides engaged in persistent courting efforts, but ultimately, it was Kim who won Na's favor. It is widely expected that Ahn's approval rating, which briefly surged after Na's withdrawal, will decline.
However, whether they can unite as an anti-Ahn (반안) alliance remains uncertain. Given the strong pressure from the 'pro-Yoon (친윤)' faction during Na's withdrawal process, it is not easy for the pro-Yoon candidates Kim and Na to reconcile. Former representative Lee Jun-seok revealed on YTN's 'News Rider' that Cheon Ha-ram, a candidate from the Lee Jun-seok faction, commented on this situation, saying, "It looks like a scene often seen when coming out of the Seoul Family Court."
④ Alliances Within the Lee Jun-seok Faction... Will There Be a Storm?
Before the candidate registration day for the party convention, the Lee Jun-seok faction's challenge within the firmly maintained two-strong structure brought a fresh breeze. Cheon Ha-ram, supported by former representative Lee Jun-seok, recently rose to the 3rd place in opinion polls. Lee Jun-seok also supports former People Power Party youth supreme council member Kim Yong-tae and People Power Party lawmaker Heo Eun-ah, both running for supreme council member, as well as Lee Gi-in, a Gyeonggi Provincial Assembly member running for youth supreme council member.
Cheon also came out to support youth supreme council candidate Lee Gi-in. On the 8th, through social media, he said, "Please choose 'Lee Gi-in.' He achieved a regime change in Seongnam City after 12 years and was the first to expose the Seongnam FC allegations involving Governor Lee Jae-myung when everyone else hesitated," adding, "He is someone who showed what it means to use power wisely, not as an object of greed."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
