Kim Jong-in Demanding 'Full Authority,' Will He Accept the Emergency Committee Chairmanship?... Procedural Criticism Within the Party

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] As the United Future Party announces its transition to the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee,' attention is focused on whether former Chief Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in will accept the position of Emergency Committee Chairman. Kim Jong-in is demanding full authority and an effectively indefinite term as a condition for acceptance. Within the party, there are also voices of criticism, claiming that this decision was made through undemocratic procedures.

On the 22nd, United Future Party lawmaker Kim Young-woo criticized on his Facebook, saying, "No matter how urgent it is, to conduct a phone survey without properly gathering to discuss is unacceptable. And to have an emergency committee with full authority and no set term for the chairman is even more so."

He added, "An emergency committee chairman with full authority? This is not the Joseon Dynasty. It is truly an undemocratic idea. It's embarrassing," and questioned, "Is there a future for the party that keeps entrusting others without properly discussing the causes of the general election defeat, the reality of the conservative party, its values, and future direction?"

Kim said, "It is not too late to listen directly to the voices of young politicians in their 30s and 40s who were elected or defeated in the 21st National Assembly and then make a decision," and pointed out, "Is the party now the private property of the top committee members who are about to go home?"

Lawmaker Jung Jin-seok also emphasized procedural legitimacy by stating, "The winners' meeting should come first." Jung said, "Sim Jae-cheol, the floor leader and acting party leader, conducting a survey among current lawmakers and elected members to conclude on recruiting an external emergency committee chairman or holding an early party convention exceeds the authority delegated to him," and added, "The most urgent matter is to hold the winners' meeting and elect a new floor leader (acting party leader)."

On the same day, the United Future Party held an executive meeting and officially declared the transition to the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' system. Acting party leader Sim Jae-cheol said that the previous day's full survey results showed that more than half favored transitioning to an emergency committee with Kim Jong-in as chairman, and stated, "I think Kim Jong-in will probably accept the position of Emergency Committee Chairman."

However, it remains uncertain whether Kim Jong-in, who is demanding full authority and an indefinite term, will accept the United Future Party's proposal. On the same day, during CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' he said, "If I become the Emergency Committee Chairman, I would have the authority currently held by the party leader, so the idea of full authority itself cannot be discussed," and added, "(If I become Emergency Committee Chairman,) it is natural that full authority is granted." He also said, "If the premise is that the party convention will be held in August or July, then there is no need to come and talk to me. If we become too obsessed with the party's constitution and regulations, nothing can be done," implying the necessity of an indefinite term.

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