Kim Yong-nam and Lee Jun-seok from U join new party... "People Power Party has become an undemocratic faction"

On the 12th, former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam, who was affiliated with the Saenuri Party (the predecessor of the People Power Party) during the 19th National Assembly, announced his departure from the People Power Party and simultaneously declared his joining of Lee Jun-seok's "Reform New Party" (tentative name).

On the same day, Kim held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office in Yeouido, Seoul, stating, "I will start hopeful politics that moves according to the common sense of the people and helps their daily lives together with young politicians in the Reform New Party." He explained his reason for leaving by saying, "(The People Power Party) has become an undemocratic private party that only watches the president's mood and closes its eyes and ears to public opinion, where rationality and common sense cannot be found."

Kim previously served as a member of the 19th National Assembly representing Suwon Byeong district as a member of the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party. In the 20th presidential election, he served as a public relations special advisor in then-candidate Yoon Seok-yeol's campaign.

Kim Yong-nam, Leaves Party and Joins Reform New Party
(Seoul=Yonhap News) Reporter Shin Jun-hee = Former People Power Party lawmaker Kim Yong-nam (second from right) held a press conference at the National Assembly on the 12th, declaring his departure from the party and joining the Reform New Party, wiping away tears as he left.
From the right: Cheon Ha-ram of the Reform New Party, former lawmaker Kim, Heo Eun-ah, and Lee Ki-in, co-chairpersons of the founding preparation committee. 2024.1.12
Photo by hama@yna.co.kr
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He said, "I was a member of Yoon Seok-yeol's campaign team from the party primary process during the last presidential election and did my best, even if only slightly," but added, "I believed that the 'fairness and common sense' that candidate Yoon often spoke about would be upheld, but both the public and I were deceived."

Kim also expressed his intention to join the Reform New Party, where former People Power Party leader Lee Jun-seok serves as the chair of the party platform committee. He said, "I will create an advanced economic system that is not about calling conglomerate chairmen to drinking parties, but rather guarantees corporate autonomy to the maximum extent while ensuring that management performance benefits not only controlling shareholders but also all minority shareholders."

He continued, "I will implement post-ideological politics that widely appoints capable and ethical individuals to serve the people, regardless of political camps," adding, "As the eldest among those born in the 70s, 80s, and 90s, I will listen to the advice of the older generation, learn wisdom, and become a shelter where young politicians can freely carry out their activities." Kim is known to be taking the position of strategic planning committee chair in the Reform New Party.