Hwang Kyo-ahn Chooses Joint Election Committee System Instead of Kim Jong-in Card... Verbal Clash with Hong Joon-pyo (Comprehensive Report 2)

Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, and Shim Jae-cheol, floor leader, are receiving demands for employment succession from former Saebosu Party officials while attending the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 16th. Photo by Yoon Dong-ju doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Hwang Kyo-ahn, leader of the United Future Party, announced the transition to an election committee system and stated that he would lead the party as the overall election 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 election committee chairman. Instead, the strategy is to bring in co-election committee chairmen from both inside and outside the party.

On the 16th, at the Supreme Council meeting held in the National Assembly plenary session, Leader Hwang said, "From today, the party will be operated under the election committee system." He added, "The election committee to be formed this time is an election committee for reviving the economy and saving the country. I will personally take up the flag as the overall standing election committee chairman."

He continued, "Since the central party and city/provincial parties will operate under an emergency system until the election, all party officials should work with an extraordinary resolve," adding, "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 lead the way."

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

Instead, the plan is to lead the election through co-election committee chairmen. After the Supreme Council meeting, Leader Hwang told reporters, "I will serve as the overall election committee chairman and bring in capable co-election committee chairmen from inside and outside the party. The overall and co-election committee chairmen will form the core of the election committee to devise winning strategies." He added, "We are working hard to bring in several good people as election committee chairmen." When asked if Rep. Yoo Seung-min would be included as a co-election committee chairman, he said, "We have reviewed several people," but refrained from elaborating.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

With the election just a month away, he also warned against division. Leader Hwang said, "Sacrificing personal interests for the victory of the people is necessary," adding, "Those who divide will suffer a crushing defeat, and this election is no exception." He emphasized, "We must gather every single vote to fulfill the mission of judging the regime," and said, "Some responsible individuals are defecting from the ranks of liberal democracy by disobeying the party's decisions, which is a defiance of the people's mandate for victory in the general election." This was a remark mindful of former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo running as an independent in the Daegu region. Leader Hwang requested Hong, saying, "Frequently changing regions to find justification only increases distrust in our party," and asked for "broad-minded politics."

In response, former leader Hong retorted on Facebook, "Keep your mouth shut and focus on the Jongno election," and said, "How can you say that when you were so busy with factional politics and cowardly politics, focusing more on eliminating internal rivals than winning the general election?"

Leader Hwang 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 implement innovative nominations," adding, "The nomination committee should consider regional public opinion, the values of liberal democracy and market economy more deeply, and also look into ways to ensure winning nominations." He emphasized, "I am speaking mainly about the controversial parts at the final stage of nominations. Each decision by the nomination committee determines the fate of the party, so they 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 stance. Leader Hwang said, "While the fear of COVID-19 is spreading into a pandemic, the anxiety over additional infections is a problem, but what is equally concerning is the global financial crisis," adding, "The existing approach of squeezing taxes and pumping money is insufficient to handle this crisis. From now on, strong investment incentives must be provided to companies, and private consumption and employment must be promoted."

Meanwhile, in front of Room 228 of the National Assembly where the Supreme Council meeting was held, staff members from the New Conservative Party gathered and protested, demanding employment succession. They held paper placards with slogans such as "Implement Employment Succession," "Comply Without Discrimination," and "We Are Also Party Staff."

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