"Joguk Innovation Party? Support Rate Likely to Lose Momentum"
Kim Jong-in, the nomination committee chairman of the Reform New Party, commented on the party's low approval ratings, saying, "Since the party was founded only two months ago, its foundation has not been properly established," and added, "It is an unavoidable reality that the support does not appear high in opinion polls."
On the 11th, Kim said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show,' "Whether the Reform New Party candidates will make efforts and achieve results in the remaining month until the general election depends solely on the judgment of the voters." He continued, "It is important whether voters will continue the two-party political system as it is, and whether they will accept the fact that the country cannot properly solve problems and the future is unclear under this system," emphasizing, "Voters should not regret later that politics went wrong after allowing the two-party system to continue."
Kim Jong-in, Chairman of the Nomination Management Committee of the Reform New Party. [Photo by Yonhap News]
Kim also viewed the split with the New Future Party, which ended in discord just 11 days after the merger, as a background to the low approval ratings. He pointed out, "If it is a new party, it should show a new image and start fresh, but by deciding to merge with the third zone midway, it was ignored by the general public," adding, "The problem arose because incompatible people merged."
Regarding the future tasks of the Reform New Party, he said, "The Reform New Party failed to appeal to the general public because it did not clearly present what its reform is," and urged, "Fundamental reform must be carried out." Kim stated, "Because our politics are not functioning properly, economic and social problems are not being solved correctly," pointing out, "Low national happiness, low birth rates, and high poverty rates are not sudden issues but problems that have persisted for 20 years." He also emphasized, "All indicators of social phenomena are showing negative results, but in the political arena, the two parties dominate the National Assembly and only engage in political struggles without genuine interest in these issues," stressing, "This is not just a problem of the Reform New Party but a problem concerning the future of the Republic of Korea."
Regarding the relatively high approval ratings of the Homeland Innovation Party, he said, "The support for the Homeland Innovation Party appeared as some reform forces within the Democratic Party left." Kim added, "The Democratic Party and the Homeland Innovation Party can ultimately be seen as one body," and said, "I think those so-called 'core progressive forces' within the Democratic Party are showing support for the Homeland Innovation Party." He also said, "I do not expect the approval ratings to gain momentum, and they may only maintain the current level."
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