Kim Jong-in Says "No Thoughts"... Will He Become the Savior of the Reform New Party?

Rising Role of Kim as Public Relations Committee Chair
Opportunity to Leverage Lee Jun-seok Faction's Recovery
Variable: Democratic Party Faction's Possible Veto

Attention is focused on whether former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in will step up as the right person to oversee the nomination process for the Reform New Party. Former Chairman Kim denied this, saying, "There has been no contact from the Reform New Party side. I am not interested." However, the political circle predicts that Kim could take the lead again as a figure capable of encompassing the four parties in the third zone.

According to the opposition on the 16th, the Reform New Party plans to finalize the appointment of the nomination management committee chairman by the 19th. Co-representative Lee Jun-seok said, "There was no disagreement on the principle that the person must be trusted commonly by each faction," leaving room for the possibility that former Chairman Kim's role as the nomination committee chairman "could meet the criteria."

The core of the 'Kim Jong-in stepping-up theory' is that he is a figure who can simultaneously lead the party's nomination work with charisma and serve as a kingmaker for election victory. He demonstrated his abilities in several elections, such as leading Park Geun-hye to victory in the 18th presidential election through economic democratization policy formulation and leading the Democratic Party to victory as the election committee chairman in the 20th general election.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

His political spectrum, which crosses both ruling and opposition parties, is also why the 'Kim Jong-in role theory' emerges. The Reform New Party has recently undergone a physical integration but is experiencing internal turmoil. The four factions with different political orientations have formed a big tent but have failed to narrow policy differences among party members and supporters. There are concerns that if internal disputes continue with about 60 days left before the general election, the third zone big tent could collapse in an instant. There is growing support for chemically bonding the party around former Chairman Kim, who embraces both conservative and progressive forces within the party. It is also mentioned that he has a long-standing friendship with co-representatives Lee Jun-seok and Lee Nak-yeon. Most within the party agree with the role theory of former Chairman Kim. A Reform New Party official said, "If the two co-representatives make a sincere effort together, former Chairman Kim will also organize his thoughts and make a decision."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, there are voices urging caution in recruiting him. Currently, five incumbent lawmakers of the Reform New Party?Kim Jong-min, Jo Eung-cheon, Lee Won-wook, Yang Hyang-ja, and Yang Jeong-sook?have all served as lawmakers in the Democratic Party. If former Chairman Kim takes the lead in nominations based on political consensus with Representative Lee Jun-seok, variables may arise in constituencies where Democratic Party-affiliated candidates run.

Professor Shin Yul of Myongji University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy analyzed in an interview with Asia Economy, "Recruiting former Chairman Kim must also consider the possibility of expanding Representative Lee Jun-seok's influence. Other factions may not welcome his recruitment," adding, "Since former Chairman Kim encompasses both the Democratic Party and the People Power Party, the logical aspect of recruitment is valid, but internally, it is a matter that needs to be observed further."