Kim Moonsoo Camp’s Kim Jaewon Evaluates Conservative “Big Tent” Theory
"Hong Junpyo’s Tent Is for One Person... Han Donghoon Lacks Political Capability"
"Kim Moonsoo Has a Strong Chance of Winning Unified Candidacy with Han Deoksoo"
The camp of former Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moonsoo, a rival candidate in the People Power Party presidential primary, has criticized former Daegu Mayor Hong Junpyo’s “big tent” theory, claiming, “Hong Junpyo’s big tent is for one person only.” On April 24, Kim Jae Won, head of public relations and media at the Kim Moonsoo camp, said in an interview with MBC Radio’s “Kim Jongbae’s Focus,” “It is a tent only for Hong Junpyo; it is not a form that allows others to enter and stay there,” making this argument.
Former lawmaker Jae Won Kim during last year's People Power Party leadership election. Photo by Hyun Min Kim
Kim explained that the speculation in some political circles about Acting President and Prime Minister Han Deoksoo running for president “ultimately means that people are questioning who has the strongest competitiveness in the main election.” He assessed, “When considering main election competitiveness, the current strategy is that the candidates who have emerged should expand their support by unifying with Acting President Han to take on Lee Jaemyung, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.” He emphasized, “Among the four People Power Party candidates, only Kim Moonsoo has publicly stated that if he wins the primary, he will immediately propose a unified candidacy to Acting President Han.” In fact, among the four candidates in the People Power Party’s second primary, former Minister Kim was the first to announce this position, and currently only lawmaker Ahn Cheolsoo is opposed to it.
Kim reiterated, “Hong Junpyo’s ‘big tent’ is ultimately for one person,” and added, “Candidate Han Donghoon doesn’t have any political capability in this regard.” He continued, “From the perspective of party members and supporters as voters, Kim Moonsoo is the most competitive,” arguing, “He is the most inclusive and has advocated for a big tent, grand integration, and a grand coalition from the very beginning, so there is a higher strategic likelihood that he will be chosen.” He also said, “Since that strategy is proving successful, perhaps that’s why Hong Junpyo, who had been saying something completely different until now, has started mentioning the ‘big tent’ as well.”
People Power Party presidential primary candidates Kim Moonsoo (from left), Ahn Cheolsoo, Han Donghoon, and Hong Junpyo are taking a commemorative photo on the media day of the 2nd primary debate for the selection of the 21st presidential candidate held at the party headquarters in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul on the 23rd. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group
On this day, former Mayor Hong announced plans to form an “anti-Lee Jaemyung big tent” that would include Acting President Han, pro-impeachment members within the party, and even non-mainstream members of the Democratic Party of Korea. He explained that his change in stance on Acting President Han’s presidential bid, which he had previously opposed, was “in response to the demands of party members and the public.”
When the host asked, “There are predictions that if Acting President Han gives up on running for president, Kim Moonsoo’s support base could weaken rapidly,” Kim Jae Won responded, “That is absolutely not true. Kim Moonsoo is also the most competitive in the main election.” He added, “Even if Acting President Han runs, since the door to unification remains open, it means that (strategically) people will judge, ‘If Kim Moonsoo is selected as the People Power Party candidate, there will be a real contest in the main election.’ If Acting President Han does not run, then the campaign will be reorganized more quickly and rationally.”
He said, “I believe Acting President Han should faithfully fulfill his heavy responsibilities as Prime Minister or Acting President,” but added, “If he does run, there is a concern that the conservative vote will be split, so even if Kim Moonsoo has already been selected as the People Power Party candidate, we are willing to give up our vested interests and enter unification negotiations. It is not because Acting President Han is particularly competitive.” He emphasized, “Even if a unification negotiation between Acting President Han and Kim Moonsoo takes place, I am confident that in the end, the unified candidate will be Kim Moonsoo.”
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