United Future Party, 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' System... Shim "Majority Opinion, Will Meet Soon" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] The United Future Party has decided to adopt the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee System' as a reform measure following its defeat in the April 15 general election.

Shim Jae-cheol, acting party leader, held a closed supreme council meeting at the National Assembly on the morning of the 22nd and announced, "After conducting a full survey of 142 members of the 20th National Assembly and the 21st elected members, the majority agreed to the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee.'

Earlier, the party's supreme council agreed to transition the party leadership system to an emergency response committee and to entrust former chief election strategist Kim with command authority. However, at the subsequent parliamentary meeting held to gather opinions, various conflicting proposals emerged, such as "Let's form the emergency response committee with internal personnel" and "Let's hold an early party convention to quickly form a new leadership," resulting in no conclusion.

Ultimately, Acting Leader Shim decided to determine the party's fate through a full survey of incumbent lawmakers and 21st elected members, and the results showed that more than half supported the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee.' Shim explained, "We contacted 140 out of 142 members, excluding two who were unreachable, and collected their opinions. We decided to go with the side that had even one more vote, and the survey results showed that the majority of respondents supported it."

Going forward, the United Future Party plans to finalize the emergency response committee system through the Standing National Committee and the National Committee. Acting Leader Shim said, "We plan to proceed with the procedures early next week as soon as preparations are practically ready."

However, former Chairman Kim's acceptance has not yet been decided. Acting Leader Shim plans to meet with former Chairman Kim to request that he take on the position of emergency response committee chairman. He said, "He will probably accept," adding, "I plan to meet him soon."

The lack of a conclusion regarding the duration and format of the emergency response committee remains a variable. Former Chairman Kim insists that he should be given enough time to operate the emergency response committee at least until the end of the year. If his role is limited to managing the party convention scheduled for August, he has stated he will not accept the position of chairman. Regarding this, Acting Leader Shim said, "That is an issue to be decided upon meeting him," adding, "I will listen to him directly."

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