Hwang Kyo-ahn to Serve as General Election Committee Chair... Kim Jong-in Card Flies Away (Comprehensive)

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, is attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 12th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, announced the transition to a campaign committee system and stated that he would lead the party as the overall campaign committee chairman. The card of Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea, who was strongly discussed until the last moment, was finally decided not to take the position of campaign committee chairman.

On the 16th, at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly plenary session, Leader Hwang said, "From today, the party will be operated under the campaign committee system."

He said, "The campaign committee to be formed this time is a campaign committee for reviving the economy and saving the country," adding, "I will personally raise the flag as the overall standing campaign committee chairman."

He continued, "Since the central party and city/provincial parties will be operated under an emergency system until the election, all party officials should work with an extraordinary determination," and added, "Please respond with a solemn attitude, taking responsibility before the people and history to judge the Moon administration. I will also do my utmost to take the lead."

The card of former emergency committee chairman Kim, which had been strongly discussed, was canceled. Choi Myung-gil, a former lawmaker and close aide of Kim, announced on Facebook that Kim had no intention of serving as campaign committee chairman. He said, "I declare that I have no intention of serving as the campaign committee chairman of the United Future Party. I also told Leader Hwang yesterday to end further discussions."

He also warned against division with the election just a month away. Leader Hwang said, "Selflessness for the victory of the people is necessary," adding, "Forces that divide will suffer a crushing defeat, and this election is no exception." He emphasized, "Only by gathering even a single vote can we fulfill the mission of judging the regime," and said, "Some responsible people are defecting from the ranks of liberal democracy by disobeying the party's decisions, which is disobedience to the people's mandate for victory in the general election." This remark was made with former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo's independent candidacy in the Daegu region in mind.

Leader Hwang requested Hong, saying, "Frequently changing regions to find justification only increases distrust in our party," and added, "I ask for broad-minded politics."

He also did not forget to urge the nomination committee regarding recent nomination controversies. He said, "We have actively guaranteed the independence of the nomination committee to foster innovative nominations," and added, "The nomination committee should also consider regional public opinion, the values of liberal democracy and market economy more deeply, and look for ways to nominate winning candidates."

Leader Hwang emphasized, "I am speaking mainly about the controversial parts at the final stage of nominations," and said, "Since each decision of the nomination committee determines the fate of the party, we must take responsibility for the results without hurting supporters. I will also lead the party on the path to victory."

He demanded a change in the Moon administration's income-led growth economic policy. Leader Hwang said, "While the fear of COVID-19 is spreading into a pandemic, the anxiety over additional infections is a problem, but equally concerning is the global financial crisis," adding, "The existing approach of squeezing taxes and pumping money is insufficient to handle this crisis phase. From now on, strong investment incentives must be provided to companies, and private consumption and employment must be promoted."

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