Kim Haeng "How Can the Party and Government Be Completely Separated?"

"Taeyoungho's Statement: That's How They Learned It in North Korea"

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Haeng, a member of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee, recently expressed support for the 'Party-Government Integration Theory,' which has been mentioned mainly by the pro-Yoon (친윤) faction. He questioned, "How can the party and government be perfectly separated?"

On the 15th, Kim said on BBS's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal,' "We nominate a candidate from our party, that person becomes president, and the party must fully support to back the success of the Yoon Seok-yeol government."

Kim Haeng, spokesperson for the People Power Party's Local Election Nomination Management Committee, is briefing on current issues at the National Assembly Communication Center on the 1st. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

Within the party, voices advocating for party-government integration rather than separation are growing, mainly among pro-Yoon lawmakers such as Jang Je-won and Park Soo-young. There are even rumors that President Yoon might serve as the honorary representative of the People Power Party after the primary election.

Kim said, "the separation of party leadership was very authoritarian during the era of Lee Hoi-chang, who was the party chairman at the time. Back then, both ruling and opposition parties used the title 'chairman'." He added, "Now, as both ruling and opposition parties are becoming democratic parties, there is a trend to somewhat separate party and government, but how can the party and government be perfectly separated?"

He argued that party-government separation was only necessary during past authoritarian times. Kim said, "Therefore, the party and government are inseparable, and having a closer relationship means practicing responsible politics. I would appreciate it if you understand it that way." He continued, "Even if the administration changes and the Democratic Party comes to power, the president and the party cannot be perfectly separated and operate independently."

Regarding the Democratic Party's disciplinary action against Rep. Tae Young-ho, who is running for Supreme Council member and said, "The Jeju 4.3 Incident was triggered under the orders of North Korean leader Kim Il-sung," Kim said, "He probably learned that when he was a university student, so I think the North taught it as a remarkable achievement of Kim Il-sung." He added, "Anyway, this person once belonged to the Kim Il-sung regime and apologized sincerely, even kneeling down."

Kim Haeng said, "The historical significance of the 4.3 Incident is related to the unilateral establishment of the South Korean government. At that time, there was an armed uprising by the South Labor Party and the Jeju Provincial Party, and the U.S. military government's coercive process. The most important thing is that too many innocent civilians were sacrificed." He added, "Healing, complete restoration of honor, and thorough resolution should be the focus. But is it appropriate for the Democratic Party's Song Jae-ho, Wi Seong-gon, Park Yong-jin, and even the Jeju governor to turn this into a color-based controversy?"