Impeachment Followed by 'Biden·Nallimyeon' Kim Ki-hyun, Controversy Risk?

Controversy Rekindled After Yeo's Second Debate at Jeon University
Cheon Haram: "Tried to Appeal Clarity but Made a Mistake... Own Goal"

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Criticism is emerging that Kim Ki-hyun, a candidate running for the leader of the People Power Party, is creating unnecessary trouble with a series of controversies. Following his earlier remarks hinting at the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-yeol, Kim has now revived the 'Biden·Nallimyeon' controversy that arose during President Yoon's U.S. visit last year.

On the 20th, at the second debate hosted by MBN, Kim asked candidate Cheon Ha-ram about his thoughts on the 'Biden·Nallimyeon' controversy. Kim said, "Candidate Cheon said that President Yoon said 'Biden' there; has your opinion changed since then?" and directly challenged, "Isn't candidate Cheon, who represents the youth, desperately trying to make a name for himself by attacking the president and party leadership?"

This was a critical remark implying that if Cheon tried to use the controversy to raise his profile, he would be unsuitable as party leader.

In response, Cheon said, "I believe it was indeed 'Biden,'" adding, "I think that aligns with the public's perspective." He argued that considering various circumstances and statements from the presidential office's press secretary, it is reasonable to conclude it was 'Biden.'

Cheon countered, "How can we create reform momentum if someone aspiring to be the ruling party's leader shows excessive loyalty by saying, 'The president can never be wrong, so we must stick to Nallimyeon until the end'?"

Kim Ki-hyun, candidate for the leader of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim's question is likely to be criticized as a 'self-inflicted wound.' At a time when this unwelcome issue was dying down for the presidential office and the People Power Party, Kim, who is pro-Yoon (supporting President Yoon Seok-yeol), reignited the controversy but failed to inflict meaningful damage on his rival, Cheon. Cheon had already expressed through the media several times before the debate that it was 'Biden,' not 'Nallimyeon.'

On the 21st, Cheon said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "This is definitely an own goal by Kim. I wondered if he lacks strategic thinking or why he is so impatient," adding, "It would have been more meaningful to ask ambiguous candidate Ahn Cheol-soo such a question rather than me."

He also viewed Kim's remarks as a major blunder that caused discomfort to both the presidential office and People Power Party members. Cheon said, "It seems intended to appeal for clarity, but the issue is a huge mistake because party members feel uncomfortable that the 'Biden·Nallimyeon' issue is being reignited," adding, "Many people in the presidential office must have also felt uncomfortable about this issue resurfacing."

Former party leader Lee Jun-seok directly criticized Kim's earlier 'impeachment remarks' as a 'controversy risk.' After the TV debate, Lee posted on his Facebook, "From talk of leaving the party and forming a new party, impeachment remarks, to 'Biden' and 'Nallimyeon,' the presidential office must see this as a controversy risk from Kim's side," adding, "It's beyond internal sabotage; it's like repeatedly pulling the pin of a grenade and dropping it on the ground." He continued, "If this continues a bit more, they might think it's not a mistake but fragging (killing a superior in the military). Be very careful."

Previously, Kim hinted that if a rival candidate were elected, President Yoon could face an impeachment crisis. At a policy debate on the 11th, Kim, aiming to check candidate Ahn, said, "When current and future powers collide, there is a fear of impeachment, which I dare not even mention. The president's term has just begun, so such turmoil is unacceptable," adding, "Someone with presidential ambitions is unsuitable as party leader."

On the 12th, Ahn criticized on Facebook, "It seems like a strategic attempt to create a fearful atmosphere among party members, but does it make sense for someone afraid of losing to talk about the president's impeachment while wanting to be the ruling party leader?"

Cheon also criticized on Facebook on the 11th, saying, "Kim is now even mentioning the president's impeachment," adding, "No matter how urgent the party leadership election is or how impatient he is about poll ratings, is this something to say at the ruling party's convention?"