Kim Jong-in "If the Presidential Office Interferes Again in the Ruling Party Convention, the Next Election Will Also Be a Disaster"

"Presidential Office and Ruling Party, Once Advocating for People's Livelihood, Now Focused Solely on Party Convention"

Former People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in pointed out that the presidential office should not interfere in the ruling party's upcoming party convention scheduled for the end of next month, stating, "If former Emergency Response Committee Chairman Han Dong-hoon leads the party by accepting the public sentiment he grasped while managing the last general election, it will be helpful to President Yoon Suk-yeol."

On the 19th, Kim said on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "After this election, both the president and the party said that people's livelihood is the most important, but currently, they seem to be solely focused on electing the party leader and have no other considerations," expressing concern that "the ruling party is failing to fulfill its duties, so public sentiment is bound to turn against it."

President Yoon Suk-yeol is seen shaking hands and patting the shoulder of Han Dong-hoon, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, as they part ways after the 9th West Sea Defense Day commemorative ceremony held on March 22 at the Navy 2nd Fleet Command in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province. [Image source=Yonhap News Agency, Presidential Office]

He added, "During the last party convention, when Kim Ki-hyun was elected as party leader, the rules for electing the party leader were changed, and those opposing candidates were blocked from running," explaining, "The results of the recent general election directly reflect that situation." He emphasized, "Such a situation must never happen again," and said, "The presidential office does not need to take such an interest in the party. They should turn off their interest."

When the host asked, "Does the presidential office's involvement in the party convention mean the next election will also be a total disaster?" Kim replied, "Yes." He pointed out, "If it becomes apparent to the general public that the presidential office is exerting influence over the party convention, it will not help anyone."

Furthermore, he noted, "It seems that former Chairman Han has somewhat solidified his intention to run for party leader, so attacks are coming from all directions beyond words," highlighting, "The core issue is the relationship with President Yoon." He also claimed, "President Yoon would prefer that former Chairman Han does not become the party leader, and in accordance with that wish, people around him are currently launching strong attacks against former Chairman Han."