Kim Chongin: "People Power Party Cannot Win Local Elections Under Current Structure...The Key Is How Much They Will Lose"

Kim Chongin Predicts People Power Party's Prospects in June Local Elections
"Key Issue Is How Much the Party Will Lose"
"Not Only Jang Donghyuk, but Senior Lawmakers Also Lack Capability"

Former Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, Kim Chongin, commented on the upcoming local elections in June, stating, "Given the current structure, it is almost impossible for the People Power Party to win the local elections." In an interview on CBS Radio's "Park Jaehong's One-Punch Match" on the 5th, Kim argued, "Considering the basic political trends and polling figures, it is possible to predict the results of the local elections to some extent in advance."

Former People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jongin evaluated, "Given the current structure, it is almost impossible for the People Power Party to win the local elections." Photo by The Asia Business Daily Database

Kim further stated, "Rather, the key issue is how much the People Power Party will lose in the local elections. If the defeat is significant, the party leadership will not be able to remain in place." He continued, "Right now, it seems the party leadership cannot let go of their attachment to former President Yoon Suk-yeol. They need to objectively consider how the general public perceives things, but they fail to understand this perspective." He also pointed out, "Although the Democratic Party of Korea is currently embroiled in issues such as nomination bribery, the People Power Party's support rate is not rising in comparison."

When the host mentioned, "Leader Jang Donghyuk is reportedly set to announce a reform plan as early as the 8th," Kim replied, "Judging from Jang's statements so far, I don't expect any groundbreaking reform measures to be introduced." Kim added, "The major problem with the People Power Party right now is not only Leader Jang, but also that the senior lawmakers are almost invisible in terms of their roles. They should be making significant efforts to bring about change, but the senior members are not demonstrating such capabilities." He went on to say, "Most of the People Power Party lawmakers are from the Yeongnam region. Because they believe that receiving the party's nomination guarantees election, they show little interest in the party itself."

Regarding the so-called "Jang-Dong-Seok (Jang Donghyuk, Han Donghun, Lee Junseok) alliance theory" being discussed in some political circles, Kim dismissed it as "wishful thinking," asserting, "People who cannot communicate with each other cannot come together." He added, "It seems the party continues to try to expel former leader Han Donghun. I do not believe this will benefit the People Power Party."

Jang Donghyuk, leader of the People Power Party, is reportedly preparing a reform plan by the 8th that includes the party's nomination direction for local elections and talent recruitment strategies.

Leader Jang is reportedly preparing a reform plan that includes the party's nomination direction for the upcoming local elections and strategies for recruiting talent, to be announced on the 8th. However, it is widely believed that the plan is unlikely to include a complete break with former President Yoon or an apology regarding the December 3 Martial Law.

Recently, senior figures within the People Power Party have been urging Leader Jang to pursue change. Former President Lee Myung-bak met with Jang on the 2nd, urging, "We must not become reactionary conservatives. That would be regression," and called for unity and integration. Kim Mooseong, Standing Advisor of the People Power Party, said in a TV Chosun interview on the 3rd, "Public sentiment demands a break with former President Yoon," stressing, "You must remember that you can never win an election if you are held back by the far-right." Amid these developments, there has also been a defection from the party leadership. On the 5th, Kim Doeub, Policy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, announced that he had tendered his resignation as of the 30th of last month.