Kim Jongin: "Han Donghoon May Have to Step Down as Party Leader If He Fails in Local Elections"

"Han Donghoon Unlikely to Demonstrate Leadership at Party Convention"
"Lee Junseok Could Succeed if He Reflects and Reorganizes the Party"

Kim Jongin, former emergency committee chairman, commented on the possibility of former chairman Han Donghoon running in the party convention, stating, "If he becomes party leader now and fails to deliver results in next year's local government elections, there could be a situation where he has to step down." On June 16, during an appearance on BBS Radio's 'Morning Journal with Keum Taeseop,' Kim said, "When I spoke to Han personally, I did not say that running in the convention would be particularly helpful," adding, "If he becomes party leader, will he be able to properly reform the party by the time of next year's elections and demonstrate the capacity to win public support?" This is interpreted as a negative outlook on the possibility of change within the People Power Party, which has recently been experiencing factional conflict, and as a remark suggesting that running would not benefit Han. It was previously reported that Han personally sought out Kim for advice on his future political moves.

Kim Jongin, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party. Photo by Heo Younghan

However, Kim stated that if Han Donghoon and Kim Moonsu, former presidential candidate of the People Power Party, were to compete for party leadership, "The reason Kim lost the presidential election was the public's judgment on the martial law situation and impeachment," and added, "Within the People Power Party, Han Donghoon, who was the leader at the time, was the only one who supported impeachment and opposed martial law from the beginning. Party members will make their own wise judgment," thus expressing support for Han.

Regarding Kim Moonsu's 41% vote share in the presidential election, Kim Jongin said, "The People Power Party seems to think that this reflects the voting tendencies of the public who support them, but I absolutely do not see it that way," and added, "In reality, the votes cast in support of the People Power Party amounted to only about 21%, as announced by Gallup Korea last week."

Regarding Lee Junseok, the Reform New Party lawmaker who finished third in this presidential election, Kim said, "Despite making a verbal slip in the third debate, which drew much criticism and personal regret, he still managed to secure over 8% support, amounting to nearly three million supporters." Kim added, "If Lee reflects sincerely on his political actions and reorganizes the party, he could emerge as the new leader of the Reform New Party," and predicted, "If he continues to reform the party and presents a new vision to the public, he could achieve some degree of success." In addition, Kim offered a relatively positive assessment of President Lee Jaemyung's administration, now in its third week, but pointed out that a sober judgment is needed regarding the ruling party's push for legislation on the Court Organization Act and the Criminal Procedure Act.