Jin Joong-kwon Criticizes "President Intervening in Election to Turn Last Place into First"

Criticism of Kim Gi-hyeon’s Election Process as Party Leader

Jin Joong-kwon, Special Professor at Kwangwoon University, harshly criticized the results of the People Power Party's leadership election announced on the 8th.

Regarding the election of Kim Ki-hyun, the newly appointed leader considered to be part of the Pro-Yoon (Pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction, he wrote on his Facebook on the 9th, "The president intervened and turned the last place into first place. Is this the 'fair' 'competition' of the free market?"

Jin Joong-kwon, Specially Appointed Professor at Kwangwoon University.
Photo by Yonhap News

He pointed out that when Kim Ki-hyun first announced his candidacy for party leadership, his approval rating was low, but after emerging as the 'Pro-Yoon' candidate, his approval rating rose steadily, leading to his election.

He shared an article mentioning lawyer Shin Pyung's comments on Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo, who lost in this party leadership election, and criticized, “Whether Adam Smith said so, or Milton Friedman taught so, just try to talk about ‘freedom’ or whatever with that mouth again, you despicable scoundrels.”

Adam Smith (1723?1790) was an economist who advocated 'laissez-faire' economics, and Milton Friedman (1912?2006) was an economist who supported free economic activities through laissez-faire and market systems.

Professor Jin also harshly criticized lawyer Shin Pyung, who served as the chairman of Kim’s campaign support committee but later expressed his intention to resign.

Earlier, on the 9th, Shin appeared on BBS Radio's 'Jeon Young-shin's Morning Journal' and said, "Is there anyone within the People Power Party who can absorb the centrist voters as much as Assemblyman Ahn Cheol-soo?" and added, "In that sense, we need to reconsider."

He also said, "If Assemblyman Ahn had come in third this time, it would be difficult to get another chance, but he still came in second," and comforted by saying, "He performed well under such adverse conditions." In response, Professor Jin pointed out, "Giving a disease and then medicine, why are these people so cunning?"

However, during the People Power Party leadership election, lawyer Shin argued during the primary process, "What would happen if Assemblyman Ahn became the party leader? Depending on the situation, President Yoon would be forced to create a new party through political reorganization."

Kim Ki-hyun, the newly appointed party leader of the People Power Party, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader, and the newly appointed Supreme Council members are attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 9th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

This was a strong expression of opposition to Assemblyman Ahn being elected as party leader. When this statement caused controversy, lawyer Shin resigned from his position as chairman of Kim’s support committee on the 7th of last month.

Earlier, Kim Ki-hyun, the newly appointed leader, won 52.93% of the votes at the party convention held on the 8th at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, securing a majority and first place. Candidate Ahn Cheol-soo received 23.37%, Chun Ha-ram 14.98%, and Hwang Kyo-ahn 8.72% of the votes.