Yoon Hee-seok: "'Seoul 6 Seats' Report Had Decisive Impact on Kim Ki-hyun's Resignation Atmosphere"

Yoon Hee-seok, Senior Spokesperson of the People Power Party, SBS Radio Interview
"Kim Ki-hyun's Resignation and Yongsan Involvement? Speculation"

Regarding the resignation of Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, Yoon Hee-seok, the senior spokesperson of the People Power Party, referred to a party secretariat report stating that there are only six stronghold areas in Seoul, saying, "Decisively, the internal report seemed to have greatly influenced the atmosphere."

Senior Spokesperson Yoon appeared on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show' on the 14th and said, "Since Monday, there had been such an atmosphere (demanding Kim's resignation), so after Rep. Jang Je-won's announcement not to run, it is true that such an atmosphere was somewhat detected," adding, "Kim began a period of temporarily stepping back from party affairs, and that much was anticipated."

On the morning of the 13th, reporters gathered in front of the People Power Party leader's office at the National Assembly. Photo by Yonhap News

Senior Spokesperson Yoon said, "The Innovation Committee made many statements that received considerable public support, but I think the leadership's political response was somewhat lacking," and added, "If the response had been adequate, at least the atmosphere leading to Kim Ki-hyun's resignation would not have developed, and there should have been reactions from several members of the leadership, such as not running in Ulsan constituencies or running in difficult districts. I somewhat agree with that criticism."

He continued, "With about five months left until the general election, I thought politically whether it was the right timing for the party leader to decide not to run or to run in a difficult district," he explained.

Senior Spokesperson Yoon said, "In that context, there was talk about handing things over well to the Public Office Recommendation Committee, but there was clearly an aspect that did not meet the public's expectations, and as the Innovation Committee ended, public opinion was that it was leaving rather poorly, and the arrow was pointed at Kim Ki-hyun."

Regarding claims from some quarters that Yongsan was involved in Kim's decision, he dismissed them as speculation. Yoon said, "People keep thinking that Yongsan was involved, but then why would Kim have worried?" adding, "If that were the case, there would have been no need to worry."