Kim Eun-kyung: "I hope Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon would arm-wrestle like close friends"

Expectations for Party Integration Role in 'Myeongnak Hoedong'
"Party Line on Abandoning Non-Arrest? The Path Is Just Difficult"

Kim Eun-kyung, the Innovation Committee Chair of the Democratic Party of Korea, said about the so-called 'Myeong-Nak meeting' (a meeting between Lee Jae-myung and Lee Nak-yeon) scheduled for the 19th, "I would be very happy if the two come out arm in arm like close friends called kkaebokjaengi after finishing dinner," adding, "Everyone who supports them will come forward and form a scrum." She expressed expectations that the Myeong-Nak meeting will be a turning point for party unity.

On the 18th, Chair Kim appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "In Jeolla Province, there is a saying about kkaebokjaengi friends. It means friends who are so close that they play naked splashing in the Naecheon stream," adding, "Right now, with the public suffering from flood damage, the economic situation not good, and all circumstances difficult, it seems like it will be a source of hope. The two have the responsibility to give such hope."

Kim Eun-kyung, Chair of the Innovation Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, is holding a press briefing at the National Assembly on the 12th, outlining the future direction of the Innovation Committee's activities. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Regarding the background of proposing the party's adoption of the waiver of parliamentary immunity as the first innovation measure, she explained, "It felt like a patient came to the emergency room with a fever, and we needed to bring down the fever first to be able to give a proper prescription," adding, "It was an emergency measure to reduce the fever, so calling it an innovation measure might be a bit of a stretch."

On the backlash from some hardline supporters within the party, she said, "They might see it that way, and I feel a bit hurt," adding, "From the public's perspective, they say 'It's a bulletproof National Assembly,' 'In the end, you are only defending yourselves, but the people's livelihood is serious now, so don't focus on such things and be more composed.' I thought that if we address and clarify these criticisms, we could present what is called an innovation measure."

Regarding whether it is appropriate to ask members of the National Assembly to waive their parliamentary immunity, a right granted by the Constitution, according to party policy, she said, "No one can deny the basic, privileged rights mentioned in the Constitution."

Chair Kim said, "However, in this situation, I think that part is very important to regain the trust of the people," adding, "The Democratic Party has already agreed to accept the purpose of the Innovation Committee's proposal, so there has been some progress."

On the criticism that the party's adoption of the waiver of parliamentary immunity has not gained consensus within the party, she responded, "I believe it will ultimately be adopted as party policy," adding, "The path is difficult, but I think everyone will come together. Because when the entire public looks at it, they want a confident Democratic Party."

Chair Kim added, "The public will overlook inappropriate or improper exercise of prosecutorial power, and the judiciary will properly evaluate it."