In Myungjin "There is a possibility of an anti-Yi Jae-myung alliance mediated by constitutional amendment" [So Jongseop's Sokterview]

"The People Power Party Has Become a Source of Public Concern"
"The Democratic Party Seems Like People Who Have Been Hijacked"
"Han Deok-su Should Be the Unified Conservative Candidate"

Pastor In Myung-jin, who served as the Ethics Committee Chairman of the Grand National Party in 2006 and as the Emergency Committee Chairman of the Liberty Korea Party in 2017, appeared on the Asia Economy YouTube channel AK Radio on the 14th. Pastor In, who led the Liberty Korea Party right after the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, said, "If constitutional reform is not carried out, tragedies like this will happen again." He criticized the two major parties, saying, "The People Power Party seems like individual business owners, and the Democratic Party seems to have been hijacked." He also predicted that "there is a possibility of an anti-Lee Jae-myung coalition forming through constitutional reform," which could become a variable in the presidential election. His blunt manner of speech has remained unchanged over time. The interview with Pastor In lasted 80 minutes, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:20 a.m.

How do you basically view martial law and impeachment?

There was a debate among the people. However, the Constitutional Court ultimately ruled that it was wrong. We must accept that conclusion. While the opposition party had some responsibility in reaching that point, it is a political issue that should be resolved politically, not through martial law. The domestic and international damage caused by martial law is an incalculable huge loss. The world is moving rapidly every day, but martial law completely stopped everything. Moreover, how much social chaos occurred? Legal responsibility is one thing, but former President Yoon Seok-youl, who declared martial law, must bear political responsibility. He explained the reason for declaring martial law, but the national chaos and aftershocks caused by martial law are much greater.

You served as the Emergency Committee Chairman of the Liberty Korea Party after the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. The current situation is similar; how do you compare them?

It’s d?j? vu. The timing is almost the same. Park Geun-hye was impeached on March 10, and President Yoon Seok-youl was impeached on April 4, about 24 days apart. Who impeached? Although the opposition party did, impeachment would not have succeeded without cooperation from the ruling party. In 2017, 62 Saenuri Party lawmakers supported impeachment. This time, at least about 12 People Power Party lawmakers supported impeachment. It’s ironic. People from the People Power Party or its predecessor party impeaching a president from their own party? Even now, I cannot understand it. No matter how wrong, it can be politically managed. I thought President Park should resign as well.

Did you see resignation as a political solution?

Yes. They call it a rebellion now, but I’m not sure if it was a rebellion; it can be called a personal coup. Usually, when a coup fails, the perpetrators flee or go into exile. During President Park’s time, there was actually a proposal from Moon Jae-in’s side, the opposition. Since I was the Emergency Committee Chairman then, I know well.

A proposal? Was it a resignation proposal?

Yes. It was a political settlement proposal. So, I contacted the Blue House at that time. But President Park seemed to firmly believe the impeachment motion would be dismissed. She did not accept it. She was imprisoned for five years after that. The Moon Jae-in administration, which imprisoned an elderly former president for five years, was harsh. It pained me for five years. If only they had listened to me then... I also thought former President Yoon should resign this time. When making his final defense, I urged him to specify the timing of constitutional reform and issue a statement of resignation. Then, I thought the Constitutional Court justices might politically consider dismissing the case. Impeachment is really bad. Considering the whole country, is this something to rejoice about?

Former Emergency Committee Chairman of the Liberty Korea Party, In Myung-jin, is being interviewed on the Asia Economy YouTube channel 'AK Radio'.

It is unfortunate for the nation as constitutional governance is interrupted.

Yes. After impeachment was accepted, the opposition party celebrated like it was a festival, which is immature. They are unqualified for politics. What is politics? It is working for the people and the country. Does the acceptance of impeachment help national development? When we look far ahead, how severe are the aftereffects? Didn’t we see this during former President Park’s time?

Now, the political world has become completely hostile. It looks like lawmakers from other countries. While disputes between ruling and opposition parties can happen, they have different roles but should be colleagues. Now, they are enemies. Impeachment has worsened this. From this perspective, impeachment is unfortunate. Political compromises should have been sought. Isn’t politics about compromise? The media should have guided this direction.

It doesn’t seem like the conflict will easily subside.

Political resolution benefits national interests. Fighting and becoming enemies is not the way. We should not harbor grudges. Those who opposed impeachment and supported former President Yoon Seok-youl must have developed resentment inside. Conflicts will continue, creating another sore spot our society must heal.

How can conflicts and antagonism be reduced even a little?

It has been almost 40 years since the 1987 system was established. Every president under this system has had an unhappy end. Former President Moon Jae-in was relatively fortunate. Three went to prison, and two were impeached. Former Presidents Kim Young-sam and Kim Dae-jung had sons who went to prison. Former President Roh Moo-hyun had an unhappy end.

"Under the current constitution, tragedies will recur; constitutional reform is necessary"

Are you saying that change to the 1987 system, i.e., constitutional reform, is necessary?

The 1987 system has reached its limit. We have worried about the imperial presidency, but this time, I see that the imperial legislature is also problematic. Looking at what the Democratic Party is doing, they seem to disregard the constitution. The constitution stipulates that Constitutional Court justices serve six-year terms, but they want to extend it, which is making laws above the constitution. The word impeachment used to be a very cautious taboo. Mentioning it caused aftershocks. Didn’t we see this during former President Roh Moo-hyun’s time? But impeachment has been attempted 30 times. Except for former President Yoon’s case, all 10 rulings by the Constitutional Court so far have been dismissals. It’s 10:0. Isn’t this legislative dictatorship? It’s wrong. No matter who becomes president, the same tragedy will happen under this constitutional system.

Many presidential candidates and political elders have advocated for constitutional reform.

It is urgent. Under this system, if Representative Lee Jae-myung becomes president, there will probably be rallies in Gwanghwamun calling for impeachment even before he takes office. The most urgent issue is constitutional reform. Time is tight. Whoever becomes president this time must promise to carry out constitutional reform and step down after three years. Election laws must also be changed. As long as the single-member district system remains, one-party dictatorship cannot be prevented. We must switch to a multi-member district system so that the legislature reflects our society’s diversity. The person who carries out constitutional reform will be the president and must be so.

There are reports that former President Yoon Seok-youl does not show remorse after dismissal, saying things like "I came back victorious" and "Five years or three years, it’s the same." What do you think?

I think those are false reports. It should not be like that, common sense-wise. Former President Yoon has political responsibility for this incident. He must reflect and be very cautious about his future conduct. What he should do now is to comfort those who supported him in the cold winter on the streets. I understand his sincerity,

but since this happened because of his mistakes, for national unity, he must now say, "Let’s go forward with one heart." As a former president, this is the last thing he must do.

Former Interim Committee Chairman In said, "Former President Yoon should reflect and exercise restraint."

There are many presidential candidates, but the People Power Party seems directionless. What is your view?

I am really worried. It is a conservative orthodox party. It was central to industrialization and, after the three-party merger, even included some democratization forces. But it has become a concern for the people. I have affection for the People Power Party at times, but sometimes I wonder why they are like this, and I feel sorry and heartbroken. However, just as a bird flies with two wings, the country cannot stand with only progressive parties; there must be a conservative party. The People Power Party seems not ideologically united but rather a party gathered based on personal interests. The parties are like individual business owners. When difficulties arise, they do not try to solve them themselves but bring in an emergency committee chairman from outside, which is a chronic problem. When finishing his term, the emergency committee chairman said, "I hope I am the last emergency committee chairman from outside." Why do they bring in outsiders only to make fools of them? No one who has served as emergency committee chairman has been competent.

What about the Democratic Party?

The Democratic Party is very interesting. They seem like people who have been hijacked. They were kidnapped, held at gunpoint, and if they move, they get shot. There are many excellent Democratic Party lawmakers, but they do irrational things. When Representative Lee Jae-myung tries to do something focused on businesses, no one says, "No, Representative, you didn’t say that before; that’s not right." They should say that, but no one does. It feels like they have been kidnapped and someone is holding a gun. Indeed, some were shot during the last general election. No one speaks up. Moreover, there is a Stockholm syndrome to support former Representative Lee.

What do you think about the 'Han Deok-su endorsement theory' coming from the People Power Party?

During President Yoon Seok-youl’s three-year term, politics and national policies have been unstable. So, I think it might be good for an economic and trade expert like Acting Prime Minister Han Deok-su to take over the government temporarily. Our country’s economy is very difficult. Politicians might have their livelihoods, but from the people’s perspective, government stability is important. A five-year term is undesirable; if reforms like constitutional reform are done and the term is three years, it wouldn’t be bad for the candidates running now. I hope the movement (to endorse Han Deok-su) succeeds. Since his hometown is Jeonju, Jeonbuk, it would also be good for regional integration.

Former Chairman In said, "Former Representative Lee Jae-myung is not trustworthy."

"Former Representative Lee Jae-myung is not trustworthy"

It seems hard for the Democratic Party to accept this. What is your evaluation of former Representative Lee Jae-myung?

I worry about what will happen to the country if he takes power. I don’t understand what he is thinking. He is not trustworthy.

Do you mean you don’t trust him?

Yes. For example, he said he respects President Park Geun-hye, but when I said I respect her, he asked if I really meant it. He said the economy should grow centered on businesses but then pushed the Yellow Envelope Act, amended the Commercial Act, and opposed exceptions to the 52-hour workweek. He changes his words multiple times. He says he never does political retaliation, but his supporters die mysteriously. He also made very negative remarks about the U.S., but recently says he is pro-American and must maintain good relations with the U.S.

He is not trustworthy. It should be reflected in concrete policies, but it is going backward. It’s like turning on the right blinker but going left. If he becomes president, he must resolve this issue. Also, how many trials is he facing now? His attitude toward the trials does not respect the law. Furthermore, the Democratic Party holds 172 seats, and the opposition combined has 192 seats. If he becomes president? Misfortune will surely come. A car without brakes will inevitably crash. It may seem helpful now, but ultimately it will be a disaster. The country will become unhappy.

Then, who do you think is suitable as a People Power Party candidate to counter Lee Jae-myung’s dominance?

Due to time constraints, Acting Prime Minister Han Deok-su cannot participate in the People Power Party primary. It’s impossible and should not happen. The resignation deadline for public officials is May 4, so he can resign then and run as an independent. We should observe for about 20 days to see if there is a call from the people. If there is, he should compete in the primary with the People Power Party candidate. I hope our country can once have a president who is an expert, not a politician.

Do you think Han Deok-su should be the unified conservative candidate?

Yes. The structure must be well arranged. It should be a constitutional reform versus anti-constitutional reform structure. If it becomes a structure of those who want constitutional reform versus those who do not,

Lee Jae-myung will not be confident of victory.

What is your evaluation of former Representative Han Dong-hoon and Lee Jun-seok, the Reform New Party candidate?

They are valuable talents. Earlier, I mentioned our country’s sentiment. Former Representative Yoo Seung-min is smart and decent. He still has support among centrists but is not succeeding. That is because of the traitor frame. Since the Joseon Dynasty, due to Confucian spirit, betrayal is very hard to escape. I thought former Representative Yoo would be freed from it soon, but he hasn’t. Unfortunately, both Representative Lee Jun-seok and former Representative Han Dong-hoon are caught in this frame.

Especially former Representative Han Dong-hoon was politically immature. Prosecutors should not do politics. Occupational habits cannot be ignored. I have been a pastor all my life, so I preach whenever I sit down. Prosecutors are different. Prosecutors do not compromise. They think they are always right. Prosecutors are prosecutors. They are different from judges. Former Representative Han does not seem to fit politics. One should not do what does not fit.

"Former Representative Han Dong-hoon does not seem to fit politics"

Isn’t Lee Jun-seok different?

Former President Yoon seemed somewhat displeased with Representative Lee Jun-seok and tried to oust him. Still, he should have done well. Maybe because he is young, he lacked some reflection. Why did he leave the party? Leaving to form a new party is difficult. It won’t be easy.

Do you think an anti-Lee Jae-myung united front can be formed?

There is a possibility of an anti-Lee Jae-myung coalition formed through constitutional reform, encompassing candidates like Lee Jun-seok and former Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon.

What is the spirit of the times for this presidential election?

It is constitutional reform and political reform. Politics must be upright for the people’s livelihood and the country to be upright.