The Democratic Party Issues Stern Warning to Kim Jae-won... Hong Joon-pyo Says "Verbal Missteps Have Become Routine, He Should Be Expelled"

CEO Kim Ki-hyun's "Inappropriate Judgment" on Facebook
Sharp Criticism from Non-Establishment Lawmakers Including Heo Eun-ah and Kim Woong
Hong Joon-pyo: "Expel Those Who Only Make False Statements"

The People Power Party has issued a stern warning to Supreme Council Member Kim Jae-won, who sparked controversy with his far-right remarks. Party leader Kim Ki-hyun emphasized the need for caution in statements that go against public sentiment, while Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo demanded Kim's expulsion.

On the 28th, Leader Kim wrote on his Facebook, "Our party is now just beginning to reorganize into a normal state and make a fresh start," adding, "Although we are the ruling party, we are still a minority party, so we must exercise great caution in everything we do, as if walking on thin ice." He continued, "We must be careful not to make statements or take actions that might go against public sentiment. Those who lead the party should be even more cautious."

Although he did not name anyone specifically, the remarks appeared to be aimed at Supreme Council Member Kim. On the 25th (local time), during a lecture hosted by the North America Freedom Defense Alliance while on a business trip to the United States, Kim said, "In the right-wing camp, there were actually few people who acted and were active within political parties, but Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon unified the right-wing camp, making Gwanghwamun at least a stage for activities opposing the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, and Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council member, are having a conversation at the Policy Members' General Meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 10th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Leader Kim also showed discomfort with Kim Jae-won's remarks earlier that day. After having '1000 won breakfast' with students at Kyung Hee University and meeting with reporters, he said, "It seems to be a claim that is hard to accept." After meeting with Xing Haiming, the Chinese Ambassador to Korea, at the National Assembly, he added, "I think it was an inappropriate judgment."

However, when asked by reporters about Floor Leader Joo Ho-young's direct referral of Representative Kim Sung-won to the Ethics Committee, Leader Kim avoided answering, saying, "Let's stop there."

Leader Kim's direct public message is interpreted as an early attempt to quell the controversy arising from Kim Jae-won's repeated far-right remarks and to distance the party from far-right forces. A party official explained, "We need to stabilize the party quickly, but controversies keep arising from other issues, so this is a move to sort things out."

Earlier, on the 12th of this month, at Pastor Jeon's Sarang Jeil Church service, Kim Jae-won made remarks opposing the inclusion of the May 18 Democratization Movement spirit in the preamble of the Constitution. At that time, Leader Kim said, "It seems it was a personal opinion of Kim Jae-won, and given the atmosphere and nature of the occasion, it probably was not a serious setting, but it was inappropriate." On the same day, Kim apologized on Facebook, saying, "I am very sorry for causing concern to the people. I will be more careful in the future."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There are also harsh criticisms of Kim Jae-won within the party. Members classified as 'non-Yoon faction' were the first to speak out. Representative Heo Eun-ah wrote on Facebook the day before, "'Unifying the right-wing camp'?how on earth do you expect to win next year's general election with this kind of attitude?" She added, "I am very afraid that the reckless actions and remarks of the 'senior' Supreme Council Member might make ordinary party members and the public see this as the entirety of conservatism." Representative Kim Woong also wrote, "The grandson of Jeon Du-hwan, returning from the U.S., says he will apologize to the May 18 victims. The Supreme Council Member, who is 100% party loyal and went to the U.S., says he will erase the May 18 spirit and claims to have unified the nation." He added, "Some trips make us ashamed, while others advance history."

Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo even mentioned 'expulsion.' On the same day, he wrote on Facebook, "People who always make gaffes should just be expelled. This is not a one-time slip-up; it has become a daily occurrence." He continued, "There is no such thing as a 'senior Supreme Council Member' in the party rules; they are all Supreme Council Members, but he goes around calling himself the senior Supreme Council Member. With that kind of insight, how could he have served as Chief of Staff to former President Park Geun-hye? No wonder President Park's administration failed." He added, "He is no help for the general election. Just expel him." Mayor Hong has had conflicts with Kim Jae-won since his 2021 presidential primary campaign through the Daegu mayoral primary.