Kim Jaewon Apologizes for "Being Reserved in Everything"... Kim Kihyun Administration Faces Test Amid Party Approval Rating Plunge

Hong Jun-pyo "If reckless behavior is left unchecked, the party will collapse"
Ruling party "It is not a statement that caused internal division"
Also draws a line on holding an ethics committee meeting

Kim Jae-won, the Senior Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, has sparked internal backlash within the party due to his consecutive far-right remarks. On the 29th, Kim once again apologized for his gaffe, but as some within the party called for his expulsion, the Kim Ki-hyun leadership, elected just over 20 days ago through the March 8 party convention, faced a leadership test.

On the morning of the 29th, Kim posted on his Facebook, "Regardless of the reason, I deeply reflect on and apologize for causing concern to the public and burdening the party with my remarks," adding, "I will be more cautious in everything moving forward." This apology came five days after his controversial statement during a lecture held at the Atlanta Korean Association Hall, hosted by the North America Freedom Defense Federation, a conservative Korean-American group, where he said, "Pastor Jeon has unified the right-wing camp."

Earlier, on the 12th of this month, Kim had apologized once before after making a controversial remark at a worship service of Sarang Jeil Church, led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon, stating that "the preamble of the Constitution should not include the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement."

However, the internal controversy over Kim’s gaffes continues. Hong Joon-pyo, Daegu Mayor and senior advisor of the People Power Party, wrote on his Facebook on the 29th, "If the party leader lacks charisma and runs the party with a lukewarm attitude of 'let’s keep things good,' the party will go through difficult times," adding, "If reckless behavior that harms the party is left unchecked, the party’s discipline will collapse, and its approval ratings will plummet further." He also said, "A judicial-style party management that just watches and observes cannot lead the party dynamically." Targeting Kim Ki-hyun, a former judge, Hong called for disciplinary action against Kim Jae-won.

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is whispering to Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council member, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 13th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

The day before, Mayor Hong also urged, "Just expel the person who keeps making gaffes," saying, "What’s the use of warnings? This is not a one or two-time slip-up; it’s a habitual gaffe, so just expel him."

Some have criticized the party leadership for a lukewarm response, comparing it to the disciplinary actions taken against former leader Lee Jun-seok, who was suspended from party membership for one year for using the expression 'yangduguyuk' (a Chinese idiom meaning 'a dog’s head but a butcher’s meat'), and against lawmaker Kim Sung-won, who was suspended for six months for a gaffe at a flood disaster site. There are also concerns that Kim Jae-won’s far-right remarks could influence voter sentiment ahead of next year’s general election. Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min stated on KBS Radio the previous day, "Remarks like those about May 18 have had a serious negative impact on public sentiment toward the party, so disciplinary action is naturally necessary."

However, the party leadership is drawing a line on disciplining Kim Jae-won. On the same day, Joo Ho-young, the floor leader of the People Power Party, told reporters at the National Assembly, "I don’t know the exact circumstances under which the remarks were made, so it’s not appropriate to give an opinion," but added, "If there is a problem, there are various party bodies that handle such issues, and it will likely be discussed there." A party official said, "Although the remarks were made at an inappropriate time, it’s not as if they are inciting internal strife or division," and added, "There is currently no talk of the Ethics Committee."

Kim Jae-won, the newly appointed Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, is delivering his acceptance speech at the party's 3rd national convention held on the 8th at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the same day, Tae Young-ho, a Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, said on KBS Radio, "Within our party, he is considered a highly strategic type," adding, "We will have to ask him later why he made such remarks. Party leader Kim Ki-hyun also sent a message yesterday urging restraint, so I think he will be more cautious from now on." Kim Geun-sik, head of the party’s Unification Committee, said on BBS Radio, "If it’s necessary during the election process, you have no choice but to seek support and help from various places," adding, "Personally, I suspect that former lawmaker Kim Jae-won might have requested support from the side of Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon."