Kim Jae-won Issues Second Apology for Gaffe This Month
Common Factor in Both Gaffes: Jeon Gwang-hoon... "Political Motive"
Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party, has come under scrutiny due to a series of verbal missteps. This is his second public apology this month. Previously, Kim apologized for his remarks opposing the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the constitution, saying, "I will be more careful in the future," but he bowed his head again just two weeks later.
On the 29th, Kim posted on his Facebook, "Regardless of the reasons, I deeply reflect and apologize for causing concern to the public and burdening the party with my remarks," adding, "I will be cautious in all matters going forward."
Earlier, on the 25th (local time), Kim attended a lecture hosted by the conservative group North America Freedom Defense Alliance in Georgia, USA, where he praised Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, sparking controversy.
At the podium that day, he said, "In the right-wing, there were actually few people who acted and were active within political parties, but Pastor Jeon has unified the right-wing, and these days, even within the right-wing camp, he has become a stage for activities opposing the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, making us feel, 'Ah, there are people on our side too.'"
Kim’s apology for his verbal missteps is the second this month. Earlier, on the 12th, during Pastor Jeon's Sunday service, he expressed opposition to including the May 18 spirit in the constitution, which caused controversy.
Especially since President Yoon Suk-yeol and People Power Party leader Kim Gi-hyeon have expressed their intention to include the May 18 spirit in the preamble of the constitution, the fallout was significant. In his May 18, 2023, speech commemorating the 42nd anniversary of the May 18 Democratic Movement, President Yoon said, "The spirit of May, which defended liberal democracy with blood, is the cornerstone of national unity," and promised, "We will firmly uphold the spirit of May." At the time, Kim Gi-hyeon, then co-chairman of the People Power Party’s election committee, also said in a radio interview, "We will gather the party’s opinions regarding the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the constitution."
Ultimately, on the 14th, Kim apologized, saying, "I am very sorry for causing concern to the public. I will be more careful in the future." He also stated, "I will not oppose the inclusion of the May 18 spirit in the constitutional preamble."
Despite Kim’s apology, voices demanding strong measures are growing both inside and outside the party. Hong Joon-pyo, mayor of Daegu, called for Kim Gi-hyeon’s leadership. On the 29th, he wrote on his Facebook, "If the party leader lacks charisma and manages the party with a lukewarm attitude of 'let’s keep things good,' the party will go through difficult times," warning, "If reckless behavior that harms the party is left unchecked, party discipline will collapse and party approval ratings will plummet even further."
Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min also raised his voice, saying Kim should be disciplined by the party’s Ethics Committee. On the 28th, Yoo said on KBS Radio’s 'Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current Affairs,' "Since disciplining former leader Lee Jun-seok, the party’s Ethics Committee has been practically missing. Kim, who became the top Supreme Council member in the party convention, made remarks about May 18 that had a significant negative impact on public sentiment, so he should have been disciplined, but it was overlooked."
Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is whispering to Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council member, at the Supreme Council meeting held on the 13th at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@
Meanwhile, Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon is a common factor in Kim’s verbal missteps. Yoon Tae-gon, director of the Agenda and Strategy Group The Moa, analyzed that Kim’s verbal slips have political motives, saying, "Kim Jae-won is quick-witted and well aware of the impact of his words."
On the 29th, appearing on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show,' he said, "If you think simply about Kim Jae-won as an individual, it seems he might have gained support from Pastor Jeon’s side during the party convention process, or there might be a political agreement to strengthen their relationship. If you received votes, you have to give something in return, so that’s why these remarks came out."
However, since Kim is a pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Suk-yeol) figure, his verbal missteps could damage not only the party but also the presidential office. He pointed out, "In the past, if it was Lee Jun-seok’s remarks, it was just his personal view and mistake, but now the People Power Party is a single organic entity. Didn’t they talk about party-government unity? During the party convention, Kim was also endorsed as a pro-Yoon candidate, so he must bear responsibility."
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