Kim Jong-in: "The Ruling Party Must Give All Disaster Relief Funds as Promised... No Reason for the Opposition to Oppose"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] Kim Jong-in, the designated emergency committee chairman of the Future United Party, said on the 24th, "Since the government and ruling party made a promise, it is right to provide emergency disaster relief funds to all citizens," adding, "There is no reason for the opposition party to necessarily oppose it."

Kim made these remarks on the afternoon of the same day while attending a seminar titled 'The 21st National Assembly, What Should We Do?' held at the Seoul Bankers' Hall, speaking with reporters.

He said, "The ruling party is continuing to talk about it from the perspective of fulfilling the promise made during the election," and added, "I also know that the United Party has made the same claim."

Kim indicated the possibility of cooperation by saying, "Since the government and ruling party made a promise, the payment should be made. There is no reason for the opposition party to necessarily oppose it." At the seminar, he reiterated, "If you make a promise to the people during the election, you should at least try to keep half of that promise."

However, he emphasized, "If the government and ruling party have the intention to pay and make a decision, there are various ways to make the payment. There is no need to act as if it cannot be done just because of the opposition party," adding, "The government thinks it must be approved by the National Assembly, but if the president invokes the emergency financial decree, the payment can be made immediately, even tomorrow." Regarding the government and ruling party's plan to provide disaster relief funds to all citizens and encourage some donations, he said, "I don't know why they are making it so complicated."

In response to the criticism that since the National Assembly is currently in session, discussions centered on both ruling and opposition parties are necessary, he said, "If the ruling and opposition parties are fighting painfully and things don't proceed quickly, if the situation is serious, can't the decree be invoked to make the payment?" He added, "That is why the system exists. It is meant to be used well."

Regarding internal opposition to the 'Kim Jong-in emergency committee' system within the party, he responded, "I am not someone trying to become the United Party leader. I am not doing this because I have a genuine interest in politics." On the backlash against the claim of an 'unlimited term,' he drew a line by saying, "I never said it would be unlimited."

Kim said, "The emergency committee term could be shorter than one year; it is not fixed," adding, "If I think I have done all that needs to be done, I will quit anytime." Regarding the composition of the emergency committee, he said, "We have no choice but to think based on how to renew the United Party," adding, "We will have to mix external and internal personnel."

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