Kim "This is the last visit to the party branch today"
Presidential Office group chat election campaign related
"The activity itself cannot be considered illegal"
With the People Power Party's March 8 leadership election just two days away, candidate Kim Ki-hyun visited the Dongjak-eul district, where former lawmaker Na Kyung-won serves as the party branch chair, to rally support for the 'Kim-Na-Yeon Alliance.'
On the 6th, Kim attended a party member meeting held at the joint office of the Dongjak-eul Party Member Council in Seoul, alongside former lawmaker Na. Kim said, "Today is the day to put the finishing touch on the masterpiece," adding, "This will be the last visit to the party branch and district party today. As expected, we must hold the finale hand in hand with Na Kyung-won," earning enthusiastic responses from party members.
Former lawmaker Na introduced Kim by saying, "I believe everyone here shares the same heart. I understand that you have come with the hope that a truly good leadership must be established for the success of the Yoon administration and victory in the general election."
Kim also praised Na, saying, "Na Kyung-won is truly the root of our party. Even when the party fell into the abyss, she was a comrade who stood at the forefront with the determination to protect this party."
He continued, "Due to various circumstances, I have to take on the role this time, but we must open the horizon and lay the groundwork so that Na Kyung-won can play a bigger role." Na, who had been weighing a run in this leadership election, showed discord with the presidential office over low birthrate policies and later declared she would not run following a petition by first-term lawmakers opposing her candidacy.
On that day, Kim shared sticky rice cakes given by Na and young party members, saying, "Alliance means always being together."
After the event, Kim met with reporters and commented on reports of election campaign interference by a presidential office administrator, saying, "The facts need to be clarified to some extent," and added, "Even if they are public officials, announcing things in group chat rooms is not prohibited, so the activity itself cannot be considered illegal."
Regarding the high voter turnout in the leadership election, he said, "I believe it reflects the party members' desire for Kim Ki-hyun to achieve an overwhelming majority in the first round," adding, "Party members who have witnessed ongoing disruptions and accelerating internal divisions think this cannot continue and are firmly showing their support for me."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
