The Clash Between Kim Gi-hyeon and Hong Jun-pyo Caused by 'Jeon Gwang-hoon'... Is Disconnection Possible?

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Yoo Sang-beom "Not Even a Party Member, Less Influential Than Gaeddal"
Jo Su-jin "If Targeting the Central Region, Calls for Restraint"
Lee Jun-seok "If a Liberty Party, Separation of Religion and Politics"

Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party who caused controversy with a series of gaffes after attending Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon's worship service, expressed "deep apologies" and said, "I will not say anything more." However, concerns are rising that the so-called 'far-right Taegeukgi faction' is exerting influence within the ruling party due to his gaffes, potentially affecting the upcoming general election. There are also calls within the party for a break from the Taegeukgi faction.

On the 4th, Kim said on KBS's 'Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs,' "If I say anything, it is highly likely to cause further controversy, and I have already promised never to speak on this topic again," adding, "I will say nothing more."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, Kim's gaffe incident has escalated into a verbal clash between Party Leader Kim Ki-hyun and Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo. Leader Kim told Mayor Hong, who criticized Kim Jae-won, to "focus on local administration," to which Mayor Hong responded loudly, "Our party is not one whose feet are tied by Pastor Jeon (Kwang-hoon), yet you recklessly spew insults and cannot say a word to him, but instead scold me to 'just do local affairs well'?"

Kim Jae-won's remark that "Pastor Jeon has unified the right-wing" has reignited discussions about the connection between the 'Asphalt Right-wing' and the ruling party, and even Leader Kim's past praise of Pastor Jeon as a "prophet like Isaiah" has been brought back up. Former Leader Lee Jun-seok pointed out on MBC's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' that "Leader Kim once called Pastor Jeon a 'prophet like Isaiah,' so he knows that even if this (gaffe) happens, there will be no disciplinary action."

The People Power Party's predecessor, the United Future Party, allied with the Asphalt Right-wing and focused on street protests just before the 2020 21st general election, resulting in the worst election outcome. There are concerns that if the connection with them resurfaces about a year before the next general election, it could send a negative signal to moderate voters. Former Leader Lee advised, "If you claim to be a conservative and liberal party, there must be a separation of religion and politics," and People Power Party lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun also expressed concern on KBS Radio, saying, "I believe Kim Jae-won's remarks have somewhat affected support in the metropolitan area and among moderates."

Voices within the leadership are calling for a stern response. Supreme Council member Cho Soo-jin said on SBS's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "The leader needs resolve. If there had been a strict warning or swift and strong measures when this first happened, this issue could have been resolved quickly," adding, "Leader Kim needs to show resolve."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 30th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Council member Cho compared the ruling party's relationship with the 'Asphalt Conservatives' to the Democratic Party's relationship with the Gaeddal (strong supporters of Leader Lee Jae-myung), saying, "The Democratic Party is struggling greatly because of the so-called Gaeddal, the strong supporters of Leader Lee Jae-myung, so if we look toward the center and moderates, we also need to demand restraint."

On the other hand, some argue that Pastor Jeon's influence within the party is smaller than that of Gaeddal, so there is no need to draw a special line. People Power Party senior spokesperson Yoo Sang-bum said on CBS's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show', "Compared to Gaeddal, who directly enter the Democratic Party and influence as official party members, his influence is much smaller," adding, "Is Pastor Jeon a member of our party? No, he is not."