Kim Hyung-o asks Hong Joon-pyo and Kim Tae-ho to "organize constituencies"... Likely to send them to tough PK districts

Kim Hyung-o "Half the harvest... Will decide later which district to send"
Difference in stance with Kim Tae-ho... "Seems like I saw a wrong article... Can't leave my hometown"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Kim Hyung-o, the chairman of the nomination management committee of the Liberty Korea Party, evaluated former leader Hong Joon-pyo's proposal to compromise by running in Yangsan-eul as a "half harvest."

Although he retreated from the originally considered run in the metropolitan area, it is interpreted as welcoming the decision to give up the intention to run in his hometown. The nomination committee plans to decide on the constituency for former leader Hong's candidacy through further discussions. Chairman Kim hinted at the possibility of dispatching him to a tough district in Busan-Gyeongnam (PK), saying, "Busan-Gyeongnam (PK) is also a very important region." However, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Tae-ho insists on running in his hometown, signaling another potential conflict.

On the morning of the 12th, Chairman Kim met with reporters at the National Assembly and said, "According to media reports, one person expressed intention for Yangsan, and another for Changwon Seongsan, and I have received direct contact from one of them," adding, "For now, by expressing the will to leave the wrong place (hometown run), the two have achieved half the harvest."

He continued, "Now that there is an intention to leave the constituency they wanted to run for, what must be done is to show gratitude to the party members, comrades, and acquaintances who helped them, and to cleanly settle what they intended to stay for," and said, "Regarding which constituency to send them to, the nomination committee will have strict and thorough discussions later."

Earlier, on the 9th, Chairman Kim reportedly visited former leader Hong and former Governor Kim to encourage them to run in Seoul and tough districts in Gyeongnam, respectively. He issued an ultimatum to respond by the 11th, and former leader Hong expressed his intention, saying, "If the party demands, I will run in Yangsan-eul, where President Moon Jae-in's residence is located, against Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Doo-kwan." This was a compromise proposal to run in a 'PK tough district' instead of the metropolitan area. He conveyed this intention directly to Chairman Kim by phone the day before.

Chairman Kim's remarks on this day are interpreted as a positive evaluation of former leader Hong's change in attitude, deciding not to insist on running in his hometown areas of Gyeongnam's Miryang, Uiryeong, Haman, and Changnyeong. While leaving room for strategic nomination in Yangsan-eul, the dominant analysis is that former leader Hong will be sent as a candidate in a tough PK district rather than the metropolitan area. Chairman Kim said, "PK is also a very important region. We must reclaim the places we lost," and added, "We will make our utmost efforts so that we can win in the nationwide election."

On the other hand, there is still a difference in position between former Governor Kim and the nomination committee. Chairman Kim cited media reports saying that former Governor Kim expressed intention to run in Changwon Seongsan, but former Governor Kim has not yet given up on running in his hometown. In a phone call, former Governor Kim emphasized, "I think I saw a wrong article. I strongly said I cannot leave, and that has not changed."

He said, "When I moved to Geochang in July last year, I was encouraged by the party leadership to try well, and I promised mature politics in my hometown with many people and started. Although the external justification is weak, the promises and growth I have made here are too strong for me to leave (rashly)," adding, "My heart is heavy too. Therefore, I am requesting the nomination committee to handle the matter naturally."

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