Kim Hyung-o "Focus on 'Fairness' and 'Transparency' in Nomination Management... Urgent Need for Conservative Unity"

Kim Hyung-o, Chairman of the Liberty Korea Party's Nomination Management Committee, holds a press conference at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Kim Hyung-o, the chairman of the nomination committee of the Liberty Korea Party, stated on the 17th, "Nomination management must be fair," emphasizing fairness and transparency in the nomination screening process.

At a press conference held at the National Assembly main building on the 17th, Chairman Kim said, "Nomination management must be fair. The nomination committee will handle it truly fairly, and we want to show that this is fairness." He pointed out, "Many words have been misused, polluted, and damaged by this administration, with representative examples being justice, fairness, equity, democracy, and equality," emphasizing "especially fairness."

He continued, "It must be transparent. While we cannot treat everything like looking through a glass ball, we will act independently and neutrally," adding, "We will not be swayed or interfered with by anyone, and I will stake my position as chairman of the nomination committee on this."

When asked about the need for a shake-up among veteran lawmakers, he said, "Since we are managing nominations, rather than a shake-up, we should focus on recruiting many new fish," emphasizing, "Changing the water depends on political and institutional reform. I believe the 21st National Assembly should show a reshaped parliament, and we will make every effort to bring many new talents into our party."

Regarding former party leader Hong Joon-pyo and other senior leaders officially declaring their candidacy in the Yeongnam region, the Liberty Korea Party's support base, he said, "We will deliberate and discuss not only with the nomination committee members but also with these individuals and others," adding, "We will deliberate and think deeply, but I believe it will not take a long time."

He stressed the need to approach the cause of unification with a more urgent attitude. Chairman Kim said, "It is natural for the opposition parties to unite. The presidential power is becoming more imperial, and the separation of powers is almost collapsing," emphasizing, "Under a presidential system with such overwhelming authority and no accountability, democracy cannot function properly if the opposition is so divided."

He added, "Only by flying with both wings can the Republic of Korea move properly. That is why we talk about opposition unification. It is not a fight over positions," appealing, "In that sense, I ask those discussing unification to have a more desperate and earnest mindset to protect Korea."

Former Speaker Kim Hyung-o, appointed as the nomination management committee chairman of the Liberty Korea Party, is handing over a painting by a market merchant to the party leader after a meeting with Party Leader Hwang Kyo-ahn at the National Assembly on the 17th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Chairman Kim said, "If I say one more thing, there is no time," adding, "I thought I should take on the role of chairman after seeing the unification, but if I delay this, the unification process will be further delayed." Regarding the general election planning team's proposal of a 30% cut-off and 50% shake-up, he said, "Proposing rules like a certain percentage is not easily acceptable," adding, "We should not put up barriers for anyone who wants to join. We will review this carefully."

On the possibility of demands to replace the nomination committee chairman during the conservative unification process, he said, "I do not see this as a position of honor but as a place I came to die for," adding, "This is not a great honor. As I have said repeatedly, I have a more earnest stance on unification. If it is happily resolved before the Lunar New Year, I would want nothing more, and I hope the principles of unification will at least be confirmed."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.