Kim Jong-in: "Han Dong-hoon is fresh and courageous... If he steps up, support will significantly consolidate"

Kim Jong-in Meets Han Dong-hoon for 30 Minutes During Lunar New Year Holiday
"Possesses Youth and Ability to Follow the Trends of the Times"
On Lee Jae-myung's Rightward Shift: "If It Looks Artificial, It Won't Be Effective"

Former People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in positively evaluated former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon as a "fresh and courageous" figure, viewing him as a potential next presidential candidate for the ruling party. The two reportedly met for about 30 minutes during the recent Lunar New Year holiday.

Former Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party. Photo by Heo Young-han

On the 6th, Kim told CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show,’ “I met him for the first time this time, and he is relatively fresh and young, possessing the ability to follow the trends of the times,” adding, “On December 3rd, the day President Yoon declared emergency martial law, Han immediately opposed and declared he would block it. As the leader of the ruling party, that takes a lot of courage.”

When the host asked, “If an early presidential election is held, do you think former leader Han would run as a presidential candidate?” Kim replied, “He is no less capable than others,” and predicted, “He will step up when the opportunity arises.” He also said, “If he steps up, his support will likely consolidate significantly,” and forecasted, “I don’t think the previous 63% support rate (when he was elected party leader) has completely disappeared.”

Former leader Han has recently been signaling a political comeback by meeting with figures inside and outside the party. Kim Sang-wook, a lawmaker classified as part of the ‘Chinhan (pro-Han Dong-hoon)’ faction, previously said, “This is just my personal opinion,” but added, “(Han) will likely make a move around this weekend or next week.”

Regarding Kim Moon-soo, Minister of Employment and Labor, who has recently been mentioned as a presidential candidate within the ruling party, Kim Jong-in said, “The high approval ratings are due to the phenomenon of extreme People Power Party supporters rallying around Minister Kim,” and added, “I think he lacks broad appeal.” He continued, “It is impossible to govern with only the staunch pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) supporters,” and criticized, “The People Power Party must come to power to rescue President Yoon Seok-yeol, but currently, there is no plan for governance.” Minister Kim had stated on the 4th that he has “not considered or thought about” running for president.

Regarding Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and his rightward shift, Kim said, “If it looks too artificial, it will not be effective. The Korean people are very wise,” and added, “If the second trial (of the Public Official Election Act case) confirms guilt, I think it will have a considerably negative impact.” However, he also warned, “If the ruling party continues to emphasize only Lee Jae-myung’s judicial risks, it will lead to results similar to the April 2020 21st general election,” and predicted, “Without addressing the issue of ‘how to recover the metropolitan area,’ I think the ruling party’s victory will be very difficult.”