Kim Gi-hyeon Emphasizes 'General Election Victory' on 100th Day of Inauguration... Differentiates by Highlighting Morality (Comprehensive)

"Next Year's General Election: Aim to Secure Majority Seats"
Top Achievement: 'Stabilization Through Crisis Management'
"Establishing Morality, a Way to Reach the Centrist Voters"

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, emphasized the party's differentiation from the Democratic Party of Korea by highlighting 'morality' and 'exclusion of factional politics' at a press conference marking his 100th day in office on the 15th. Based on this, Kim stressed the necessity of winning the general election.

In his opening remarks at the press conference held at the National Assembly that morning, Kim said, "The spirit of the times for next year's general election will be ‘the perfect normalization of abnormality’," adding, "The People Power Party will strive with a humble attitude to gain overwhelming support from the people and secure a majority of seats in the crucial election next year."

As the greatest achievement during his first 100 days in office, he cited stabilization through 'resolving internal party chaos.' Kim stated, "Even amid vacancies and incidents involving Supreme Council members, we minimized confusion and ensured the party's unwavering stability. Once the selection of organizational chairpersons for the affected local party branches is completed, the party will achieve even more thorough stabilization." When asked about the best accomplishment in the 100 days, he replied, "It is true that the party’s abnormal operation under an emergency committee system for several years caused considerable emotional burden to our supporters. Ending the party’s discord and fostering a sense of community as one team was an urgent task, and I believe the party’s stabilization over the past 100 days has been successful."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on the 100th day since his inauguration as party leader at the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

'Victory in the General Election'... Emphasizing Morality and National Unity

Kim announced that to win the general election, the party will move beyond factional logic and thoroughly verify the morality of its personnel. He said, "We will respect the opinions of competent and righteous individuals rather than factional logic, and resolutely pursue the right path for the country’s sustainability, including the three major reforms in labor, pensions, and education."

Emphasizing morality in candidate selection, Kim sought to differentiate from the Democratic Party. He said, "The Democratic Party, whose former and current leaders and dozens of affiliated lawmakers are under investigation or trial, has abused various privileges and turned the National Assembly into a haven for corruption." He added, "The People Power Party will firmly establish morality." Kim believes this will positively influence the party’s approval ratings. He said, "(Establishing the party’s morality) is the way for us to approach the moderate and independent voters," and promised, "We will show a strengthened stance."

Regarding the recent allegations about his son holding cryptocurrency, Kim said, "We will, of course, comply with the disclosure requirements according to the law processed through bipartisan agreement."

Kim, who identified national unity as a key task, also emphasized that the party has severed ties with extreme support groups. He said, "The Democratic Party has become captive to the ‘Gaeddal’ (devoted female fans). I advise the Democratic Party and Leader Lee to break free from that fandom as soon as possible." He explained, "Among our many support groups, we have cut ties and are not cooperating with any factions that contradict public sentiment or are excessive. Our party is prepared to move forward as a healthy party, free from factional and fandom politics."

Regarding a meeting with Lee Jae-myung, Kim criticized, "This is not a summit between two countries, so why are there so many conditions?" He said, "A meeting between party leaders should be something that can happen anytime over a cup of tea. I don’t understand why conditions are so strict and pre-coordination so complicated when the leaders of the ruling and opposition parties meet." He added, "In my 20 years of political experience, I have never encountered an opposition leader like this," criticizing Lee.

Actively Refuting 'Yongsan Orders,' 'Prosecutor Candidate Selection,' and 'Labor Hostility'

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on the 100th day since his inauguration as party leader at the National Assembly on the 15th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Kim responded to various allegations and criticisms surrounding the leadership. When asked about reports that many prosecutors will be nominated as candidates next year, he said, "That is purely an unfounded fear," adding, "The talk about prosecutor candidate selection or a ‘prosecutor kingdom’ is absurd and will never happen. Those with ability and who gain local support through a systematic nomination process will be selected."

Regarding evaluations that the party has been led by the presidential office during his 100 days in office, Kim laughed and said, "If the party and the presidential office get along well, it’s called being led, but if they clash, it’s called conflict?" He added, "Since I became party leader, there has never been a single policy discord between the party and the government. We incorporate the party’s ideas and public sentiment into the dialogue with the government to reach final conclusions, so I cannot agree with the term ‘subordination.’ We have a very healthy harmony."

In response to a question suggesting that hostility with the labor sector is intensifying, Kim immediately refuted, "I cannot agree with that expression." The People Power Party has recently faced friction with labor groups over amendments to the Assembly and Demonstration Act banning late-night rallies and efforts to establish labor law and order. Kim said, "How can hostility be intensifying? We are eradicating labor corruption. Is eradicating violent labor gangs considered hostility? Then should we leave them alone?" he raised his voice.

When asked if he has a plan to gain support from women’s groups, Kim replied, "Do you distinguish between support from women’s groups and men’s groups?" He said, "We must unify all citizens to gain support; in a way, dividing by gender equality doesn’t fit." He added, "Approaching it by separating women and men is mechanical." He continued, "When it comes to candidate selection, if people recognize that we objectively select truly capable individuals, whether female or male, they will all support us."