Kim Hyung-o "If we don't change, we all die... Even if lacking, please unite your strength for regime judgment"

Final Stage of Nomination... Responding to Repeated Protests from Cutoff Figures
"Safely Crossed the River of the Era... No Division, Faction, or Closed-Door Deals"
"Acknowledging Criticism of Inadequate Renewal and Filling Amid Talent Shortage... Must Lead and Nurture Well"
"Independent Candidacy Should Not Happen... Even if Elected, Should Not Be Accepted by the Party"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Kim Hyung-o, the Future United Party’s nomination committee chairman, appealed on the 11th regarding the increasing number of independent candidates running in protest against the nomination results as the nomination process nears its end, saying, "If we do not change, we will all perish. Even if there are shortcomings, please unite your strength to judge the Moon Jae-in administration."

Chairman Kim voluntarily held a press briefing that afternoon and said, "I will take full historical responsibility," expressing these remarks.

This occasion is interpreted as Chairman Kim urgently making a statement after not only the concerned parties such as former representative Hong Joon-pyo, former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Tae-ho, and former lawmaker Kwon Seong-dong, who were recently cut off, but also fellow lawmakers voiced dissatisfaction with the nomination committee’s decisions.

Chairman Kim stated, "To win in the metropolitan area, the noblesse oblige of the Yeongnam region was required, and I once again express my gratitude to the lawmakers who decided not to run. I am also sorry and apologetic to the lawmakers who were inevitably replaced, even though they quietly did their duty."

He added, "I know that many regions and parties that were replaced have many complaints and criticisms, and there is also resistance to new figures. I hope you widely understand that the nomination committee could not fully comprehend the feelings of those who cry out in injustice, those who have not given up hope and request a retrial, those who are angry that less capable figures were nominated, and those who are upset that the reward for defending the party and fighting against the Moon Jae-in administration is just this."

Chairman Kim said, "The nomination committee’s historic mission this time was to cross the river of the times and to renew personnel. Thanks to the sacrifice of many who make up the majority, the river of the times was crossed safely, but the latter is still ongoing. The core of nomination is people, and we are paying a harsh price for not having nurtured people until now."

He explained, "Faced with the reality of a shortage of talent, the nomination committee employed strategies of strategic placement of personnel and planting saplings for the future. Honestly, it was part of a desperate measure. We sent party leader-level figures to difficult districts and gave former and current lawmakers a chance to revive through thorough verification. Planting saplings was to cultivate political experience among youth and women."

Chairman Kim emphasized, "This nomination succeeded in replacement but was insufficient in filling positions. I am aware of concerns about the figures who filled the vacancies of some replaced lawmakers. However, if we do not change, we will all perish. Even if it seems insufficient now, we must lead well."

He took pride in saying that this nomination process was fairer than ever, without factional favoritism, secret nominations, or division of shares. Chairman Kim said, "Unlike other times, there was no confusion, noise, death lists, or rumor-based nominations. We proceeded quietly and slowly, respecting dignity and courtesy as much as possible."

He continued, "It was a task to embody the spirit of integration, broaden the party’s base, diversify personnel composition, and prepare for the party’s future. Although Ahn Cheol-soo’s People’s Party effectively led the unified candidate nomination by giving up constituencies, there was a clear practical relationship, and I apologize for not being able to go beyond that. Still, we did our best to broaden the scope and complete the reshuffle."

Chairman Kim urged once again to accept the outcome, saying, "We are crossing the old and chaotic river of the times. Even if there are shortcomings, please unite your strength to judge the Moon administration."

Regarding criticism that those who received strategic nominations have weak ties to their regions, he explained, "It was done precisely with strategic consideration. Rather than regional ties, we considered the judgment of the administration, the values of liberal democracy, and expertise."

On emphasizing innovative nominations while many former lawmakers were nominated, he lamented, "After experiencing the tsunami of impeachment, few people knocked on the party’s door. Despite many promotions such as extra points for political newcomers, there were not many applicants." Chairman Kim explained, "Therefore, we could not help but strategically place relatively competitive former lawmakers. However, considering that there are many more citizens, youth, and women, it shows that we deliberated considerably."

Regarding accusations of favoritism in nominations, he dismissed them, saying, "It is unacceptable. The claim that I have 'Kim Hyung-o kids' is factually inaccurate. I will return to being a citizen after this work is done, and with strict lawyers like Lee Seok-yeon involved, would they accept if I engaged in favoritism? It’s nonsense."

On mentions of independent candidacy coalitions centered around Daegu and Gyeongbuk, he said, "Everyone must feel wronged, but saying you will run as an independent because you were not nominated, or even forming an independent coalition, is absolutely unacceptable unless it was planned from the start that you would not be nominated."

Chairman Kim warned, "This time, we decided to deduct points for those who ran as independents. It is also unacceptable for party politics in the future. Running as an independent is a path for the Moon Jae-in administration and will only help elect a strong ruling party candidate." He strongly criticized, "Even if you feel wronged, you should not play that role, and those who run as independents will not be elected. Regardless of election results, institutional measures must be established to ensure they are never accepted back into the party."

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