The United Future Party Decides on 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee'... Will Kim Jong-in Accept?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] The United Future Party has finalized its emergency response committee (ERC) system. The party plans to entrust the ERC to former general election committee chairman Kim Jong-in to initiate a 'reform.' However, there are voices within the party opposing former Chairman Kim, and future difficulties are expected. Former Chairman Kim has stated that he will not accept the position of ERC chairman if an 'early party convention' is proposed.

On the 22nd, the United Future Party held a supreme council meeting at the National Assembly main building and officially announced the transition to the 'Kim Jong-in ERC' system. Acting Party Leader Shim Jae-cheol said, "The full survey results showed that the Kim Jong-in ERC had the majority," adding, "We plan to move forward with the Kim Jong-in ERC." The party intends to proceed with the ERC procedures next week once preparations are complete.

However, former Chairman Kim has stated that he will not accept the ERC chairman position unless conditions such as 'indefinite postponement of the party convention' and full authority guarantee are met. On the same day, during CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' he emphasized, "If the premise is that the party convention will be held in July or August, there is no need to come and talk to me," insisting that the timing of the party convention should not be fixed. He believes that the ERC system should not be established until the party is reorganized and an environment suitable for the presidential election is created.

He said, "There is no point in forming an ERC now unless thorough preparations are made on how to lead the next presidential election," adding, "To strengthen both the left and right wings, work must be done so that the presidential election can be clearly seen before I come out." Regarding this, Acting Leader Shim said, "I will meet with former Chairman Kim directly to hear his views on this matter."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

However, the significant opposition within the party against former Chairman Kim is a problem. Three-term lawmaker Kim Tae-heum expressed regret over Acting Leader Shim meeting with former Chairman Kim, saying, "Can the public trust a weak and indecisive party that repeatedly entrusts its fate to outsiders?" There are also voices suggesting that former Chairman Kim cannot be free from responsibility for the previous general election defeat.

Within the party, there are calls for a transformation into a party centered on the so-called '830 generation' (people born in the 1980s, in their 30s, and university entrants in the 2000s). This means a change similar to that of former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, who became the leader of the Conservative Party in his 30s. However, a lack of political field experience and seniority is cited as a drawback. Former Chairman Kim, who mentioned that 'the younger generation should take the forefront,' also said in a CBS interview, "It is difficult to accept the vague idea of artificially placing people in their 30s and 40s at the forefront."

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