Joo Ho-young "It's Not Easy to Host Kim Jong-in... Consulting with Lee Wan-koo and Jung Byung-guk"

Former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo is answering questions from reporters after paying his respects at the funeral hall of former Prime Minister Kim Jong-pil, set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 24th. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Amidst the noise surrounding Kim Jong-in, the former emergency committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was strongly considered as the future United Future Party's election committee chairman, Representative Joo Ho-young stated that it would not be easy to have Kim as chairman and that alternatives are being discussed.

On the 16th, Representative Joo appeared on YTN Radio's 'Noh Young-hee's Start of a New Morning' and said, "We are consulting with people like former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo or former party leader Chung Byung-guk."

He added, "I have heard that it is not easy to have former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in as the election committee chairman," and said, "If former Prime Minister Lee Wan-koo feels the party is in difficulty and that he is absolutely needed, despite various circumstances, I think he will choose to save and help the party."

Regarding Hong Joon-pyo, former Liberty Korea Party leader, running as an independent candidate in Suseong, which was his own constituency, he said, "From the party's perspective, having been party leader twice and a presidential candidate, even if they are somewhat displeased, they should accept the party's decision. There is criticism about whether running as an independent is appropriate," but added, "Listening to former leader Hong's personal stance, he said he tried to run in his hometown but was blocked, and was also blocked from running in Yangsan, considered a difficult district, so he had no choice. However, he will not form an independent coalition, will respect the party's other decisions, but cannot accept the decision only regarding himself."

Regarding the declaration of Daegu as a special disaster area due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), he said, "It is almost like our economic community; daily life has almost completely stopped. Fortunately, yesterday, the President declared Daegu and parts of Gyeongbuk as special disaster areas, which will provide some help," and added, "It should not stop there; nationwide recovery and support are necessary so that we can return to daily life."

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