[Politics That Day] Kim Ki-hyun, Spokesperson Selected by Party Leader Hong Jun-pyo

Appointing Kim Ki-hyun as Spokesperson During Grand National Party Leadership
Two TK and Legal Professionals Resembling Each Other, From Connection to Conflict
Ruling Party's Move to Discipline Hong Joon-pyo, Key Political Watchpoint

Editor's Note"On That Day in Politics" is a series that looks back on Korean politics through the "recollection of memories" related to notable scenes, events, and figures.

The political relationship between Hong Jun-pyo, Mayor of Daegu Metropolitan City, and Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, dates back to the era of the Grand National Party. The two share many commonalities. Both have accumulated nearly 20 years of political experience since entering the National Assembly.

They also share the common background of being from Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK) and both are former legal professionals. A key period in their relationship is 2011. Although they are now politically at odds, in July 2011, their relationship was entirely different.

At that time, politician Hong Jun-pyo was serving as the leader of the ruling Grand National Party. The July 12, 2011 personnel reshuffle within the Grand National Party, which stirred the political scene, included politician Kim Ki-hyun. Interestingly, it was Hong Jun-pyo who expanded Kim Ki-hyun’s political sphere at that time.

On November 26, 2021, Hong Joon-pyo, the People Power Party's presidential primary candidate, and Kim Ki-hyun, the floor leader, visited Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, and are seen talking after paying respects at the tomb of former President Park Chung-hee. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

Party leader Hong Jun-pyo appointed Kim Ki-hyun as the Grand National Party spokesperson. Kim Ki-hyun, a former judge and a two-term lawmaker, began as spokesperson and then held key positions within the central party. He was upgraded from a regional politician in Ulsan to a central politician in Yeouido.

The July 12, 2011 personnel reshuffle left a strong impression on the Yeouido political scene not only because Hong Jun-pyo appointed Kim Ki-hyun as spokesperson. The reshuffle also exposed internal conflicts within the ruling Grand National Party. The discord was unrelated to Kim Ki-hyun’s appointment as spokesperson.

The background was the internal party conflict over the appointment of the Grand National Party Secretary-General. Hong Jun-pyo appointed Kim Jeong-kwon, a lawmaker whom he considered a political ally, as Secretary-General.

The Secretary-General of the Grand National Party holds significant influence over the ruling party in the April 2012 general election. When Hong Jun-pyo pushed through the Kim Jeong-kwon appointment, then Supreme Council members Yoo Seung-min and Won Hee-ryong expressed strong dissatisfaction, even storming out of the meeting.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

They declared, "We cannot politically accept this," and even showed signs of boycotting the personnel appointments.

In a situation where the party leader’s personnel appointments were rejected by the Supreme Council, the spokesperson, who serves as the "voice of the party," was inevitably in a difficult position. What stance did spokesperson Kim Ki-hyun take in his official statement at the time?

"The personnel appointments approved at today’s Supreme Council meeting were fairly distributed among the pro-Lee, pro-Park, and reformist factions. As usual, the two Supreme Council members who opposed the appointments left the meeting, and the appointments were unanimously approved."

At the time, spokesperson Kim Ki-hyun explained that the appointments by leader Hong Jun-pyo were made to fairly allocate positions among the party’s major factions.

On July 13, 2011, at the Supreme Senior Members’ Meeting, Hong Jun-pyo stated, "We have almost completed the appointments of new party officials, including the Secretary-General. All controversies surrounding the personnel appointments yesterday are now settled, and we will start anew with a fresh determination to fulfill the promises made to the public during the party convention."

Hong Jun-pyo added, "I believe the party must quickly move to the heart of people’s livelihoods. I hope the new party officials will dedicate themselves fully to the party and the people. I ask senior lawmakers to guide the new officials with their experience and wisdom and to offer trust and encouragement."

Kim Ki-hyun, leader of the People Power Party, is delivering a negotiation group representative speech at the National Assembly on the 20th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

On the same day, spokesperson Kim Ki-hyun also released a statement titled "Upon Assuming the Role of Spokesperson."

"With the encouragement of many, I have taken on the important role of spokesperson. While every party position requires responsibility and a sense of mission, the spokesperson’s role is especially weighty as it represents the party before the public."

Perhaps naturally, the messages from leader Hong Jun-pyo and spokesperson Kim Ki-hyun were aligned. At that time, the two walked together, looking toward the same goal.

Once political comrades in the Grand National Party, the relationship between the two in 2023, twelve years later, is different. Now, Kim Ki-hyun is the party leader and Hong Jun-pyo is the mayor of Daegu.

The People Power Party is currently taking disciplinary steps regarding Mayor Hong Jun-pyo’s conduct related to golf. Will the disciplinary action against Mayor Hong Jun-pyo be carried out under Kim Ki-hyun’s leadership? There is a saying in politics that there are no eternal allies or eternal enemies.

Just as their relationship differed in 2011 and 2023, political relationships can change at any time. The political rift may deepen, or the relationship may be restored through a dramatic turnaround. This is why politics is often called a living organism.