[The Editors' Verdict] The Shelf Life of Election Fixer Kim Jong-in

[Asia Economy Jeong Wanju, Deputy Director and Political Chief] Former Kim Jong-in, former chairman of the Emergency Committee of the Democratic Party of Korea, whose appointment as the election campaign committee chairman of the United Future Party is becoming visible.

Some criticize him as a political migratory bird, but his weight has been exceptional every election. This is because he insisted on his philosophy rather than political ambition. Is he truly an outstanding 'election fixer'? Or is he a 'political ronin'?

Kim Jong-in's political career is brilliant. While serving as a professor at Sogang University, he appeared on the political stage in 1980 as an advisory member of the National Security Emergency Planning Committee (Gukbowi). He served as a proportional representative member of the Democratic Justice Party and later as Minister of Health and Social Affairs and Chief Secretary for Economic Affairs under the Roh Tae-woo administration.

It is ironic that he, who held key positions during the military dictatorship era, is called the godfather of economic democratization. If one were to pick the most progressive and reformative clause in the constitution, it would be Article 119, Paragraph 2. This clause contains the specific basis for economic democratization, including regulations on conglomerates. Kim Jong-in played a decisive role in creating this clause. This is the background for the icon 'Kim Jong-in = Economic Democratization.'

In fact, Kim Jong-in's economic democratization was a means to maintain the regime. It seems to have been influenced by the June Struggle of 1987 during the constitutional amendment. It was a 'last stand' to prevent the collapse of liberal democracy in advance.

His economic democratization pledge played a significant role in bringing about two administrations. He was the top contributor to the Saenuri Party's victory in the 19th general election and the election of Park Geun-hye as president. After the Park Geun-hye administration took office, economic democratization was treated like a discarded item and effectively abandoned. Disappointed by this, Kim Jong-in switched sides to become the emergency committee chairman and election campaign committee chairman of the Democratic Party, which was facing a crisis due to defections, and led the 20th general election to victory. He gained fame as an unprecedented election fixer.

After briefly working with Ahn Cheol-soo as his next option, it has become highly likely that he will be reappointed as the election campaign committee chairman of the United Future Party. His crossing between ruling and opposition parties is enough to be criticized as a political ronin. Although he has been a strategist who has shaken the election field every time, it may be due to his limitations of not being able to escape the fate of 'being used and discarded.'

If he joins the United Future Party, he will have to prepare for the upcoming fate of being used and discarded. This is because the economic policy alternative book 'Minburoon,' prepared during the Liberty Korea Party era, is still very much alive. The pro-business nature of Minburoon is antagonistic to Kim Jong-in's economic democratization. Regardless of the outcome of this general election, it is hard to guarantee that the United Future Party will abandon Minburoon and raise economic democratization as its banner. The possibility seems very low.

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, may find the Kim Jong-in card more attractive than economic democratization. It can substitute for the disappointment of failing to recruit Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, and can be expected to expand the centrist base. Furthermore, if considering the next presidential election, Kim Jong-in’s role as a 'kingmaker' can also be anticipated.

It is also a matter of interest whether the reputation of the seasoned octogenarian politician will continue as he jumps back into the election field. This is the third round. It means the freshness has declined and it is becoming tiresome. It may end up as an out-of-date product past its expiration date.

During the Warring States period, sages like Confucius wandered the Central Plains looking for a ruler who could realize their ideals. They had content but lacked the foundation and power to implement it. A strategist who meets a wise ruler can fully demonstrate his abilities, but in the opposite case, he falls into a ronin. This is the fate and limitation of a strategist.

Kim Jong-in stands at the crossroads between election fixer and political ronin. Will he be able to decide his own fate?

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