Kim Haeng: "Live Negotiation, 26 Surrounded Han... Kim Cried While Shaking Hands With Supporters"

Kim Haeng, Director of Civil Society Coordination for the Kim Moonsoo Campaign
Shares Reflections on Candidacy Revocation and Reinstatement
"Kim, Standing Alone Without a Single Incumbent Lawmaker"

Regarding the process by which Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, regained his candidacy after a deep internal conflict with the party leadership, a member of Kim's campaign commented that "his head was cut off and then reattached by the party members." Kim Haeng, Director of Civil Society Coordination for the Kim Moonsoo campaign, stated during an interview on YTN Radio's 'Shin Yul's News Frontline' on the 12th, "It was a miracle and a revolution created by the party members."

Kim Moonsoo, the People Power Party presidential candidate, and Han Ducksoo, an independent preliminary candidate, are meeting at the National Assembly Riverside Library on the 8th to discuss unification. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

Regarding the party leadership's late-night decision to revoke Kim's candidacy and effectively endorse former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo, Kim Haeng criticized, "Is there any other miracle where an independent candidate becomes a presidential candidate just 30 minutes after joining the party?" She added, "(Kim Moonsoo) is a candidate who went through the primary process three times and even received a certificate of nomination," and continued, "If that was the intention, they should have just nominated and endorsed a candidate without holding a primary."

Kim Haeng stated, "At the time of the unification talks, there were quite a few polls where Kim Moonsoo was ahead. The lead went back and forth within the margin of error," and continued, "(Looking at the series of events,) this is not what a political party should be. If things had continued as they were, the party should have taken down its signboard. But it was the party members who saved it." She also argued, "The survey conducted among party members was extremely biased. The question was simply, 'Do you agree with replacing the candidate with Han Ducksoo? Yes or no?' That was it. How can a survey conducted by a party not even mention the name of the candidate who was selected through its own process?"

Kim Moonsoo Camp Kim Haeng, Director of Civil Society Coordination. Photo by Asia Economy

She continued, "During the negotiations for unification, when Kim Moonsoo went to Pohang and Gyeongju, not a single sitting lawmaker accompanied him. He really traveled alone," and added, "It reminded me of President Roh Moo-hyun in 2002. But even he did not suffer the humiliation of being replaced as a candidate." She further stated, "When Kim Moonsoo and former Prime Minister Han Ducksoo debated at the National Assembly Sarangjae, about 26 lawmakers surrounded Han Ducksoo, while not a single lawmaker was on our side. Yet somehow, hundreds of supporters from all over the country came and chanted Kim Moonsoo's name. Because of this, Kim Moonsoo could not leave early and, surrounded by supporters, shook hands as he made his way through. He is small in stature and almost disappeared in the crowd, but I saw tears in his eyes." She added, "He cried. Imagine how lonely he must have felt."

Meanwhile, Kim Yongtae, who was appointed as the new acting emergency committee chairperson that day, has previously expressed a critical view of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's 12·3 Martial Law. Regarding this, Kim Haeng explained, "On the issue of martial law, Kim Moonsoo also stated that 'if he had been on the scene, he would have risked his life to stop it.' However, regarding impeachment, he has been extremely cautious." She continued, "The People Power Party is already the party that saw President Park Geun-hye impeached eight years ago," and added, "I think this time, the party should have shown efforts to find a compromise through means other than impeachment."

When the host asked, "Former President Yoon keeps posting on social media, which doesn't seem helpful for the party. What do you think?" Kim Haeng replied, "Honestly, it is a burden." When the host added, "It doesn't look good for the public when an impeached president keeps speaking out," she responded, "That's why it's inappropriate." The previous day, former President Yoon posted on social media regarding Kim Moonsoo's selection, "This primary involved intense debate and pain, but it still showed the party's vitality," and added, "The June 3 presidential election is not just about a change of government, but a life-or-death election to determine whether the free Republic of Korea system will be protected or destroyed."