"Unforgivable Greed" vs "Need for Reform" Controversy Erupts Before Launch of 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee'

Future United Party Plans to Approve Kim Jong-in as Emergency Committee Chairman on 28th
Hong Joon-pyo, Yoo Seung-min, Jo Kyung-tae Oppose 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee'

Former General Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in of the United Future Party is leaving his residence in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 27th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the launch of the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee' system to recover from the crushing defeat in the April 15 general election approaches, controversy continues inside and outside the party. Former Liberty Korea Party (predecessor of the United Future Party) leader Hong Joon-pyo and others have argued that the emergency committee should be formed mainly with party advisors, while some party insiders emphasize that former Chief Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in's leadership will lead party reform.

The United Future Party leadership plans to hold a national committee meeting on the 28th to approve former Chairman Kim as the emergency committee chairman. Shim Jae-cheol, acting party leader of the United Future Party, told reporters after the Supreme Council meeting on the 24th, "Based on the results of gathering opinions from the Supreme Council and within the party regarding the party's direction after the general election, we officially requested former Chairman Kim to take charge of the party's emergency committee, and he accepted."

However, noise about the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' is growing inside and outside the party. This is because Kim's demand for full authority until a presidential candidate is produced was interpreted as a request for 'indefinite full authority' (full authority without a term limit).

In response to the controversy, Kim told reporters on the afternoon of the 24th, regarding his term, "It could be shorter than one year. If I think I have done everything I need to do, I will quit anytime." Regarding the term 'unlimited term,' he said, "I have never used the word 'unlimited,'" and added, "(The internal opposition) is not something I am involved in."

Acting leader Shim Jae-cheol also rebutted reports that Kim demanded to be an 'emergency committee chairman with indefinite full authority,' saying, "That is a clear misunderstanding. It is not full authority but the authority of the party leader," and added, "There are clearly the authorities of the acting leader and the policy committee chairman, who are elected by vote. How can there be full authority? It is just malicious agitation by some media."

Former Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party (predecessor of the United Future Party) [Image source=Yonhap News]

Nevertheless, criticism inside and outside the party is fierce. Former Liberty Korea Party (predecessor of the United Future Party) leader Hong Joon-pyo has been relentlessly attacking Chairman Kim. On the 25th, through his Facebook, he targeted Kim, saying, "Seeing his recent statements filled with greed, it seems like he is driving the party into a swamp, and I thought it would be absolutely impossible to tolerate him. We need to start over from the beginning," and pointed out, "It would be better for the leadership to resign en masse and form the emergency committee centered on party advisors at the elected members' meeting."

He further posted on Facebook, "At first, I thought there was no one as charismatic and experienced in managing a chaotic party as Kim Jong-in, so I thought it would be fine if he took the position," but criticized, "However, his attitude afterward was consistent with ignoring party members, ignoring party-affiliated lawmakers, and ignoring party rules, acting as if he were an emperor who would even designate the presidential candidate chosen by party members, delegates, and the public. When such an arrogant person comes into the party, I thought our party would collapse."

Among the party leadership, Cho Kyung-tae, the only one elected and now a five-term lawmaker, also raised his voice in criticism of former Chairman Kim. On the 24th, Cho held a press conference at the National Assembly Communication Office and sharply said to Kim, "If you want to be the leader, you should run in the party convention, not be the emergency committee chairman." He also opposed the promotion of the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee,' saying, "I absolutely cannot tolerate an emergency committee with unlimited authority."

United Future Party lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, considered a potential next presidential candidate, also expressed a negative opinion about the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' system. On the 23rd, appearing on MBC's '100-Minute Debate,' he said, "Just creating an emergency committee does not mean the answer will come quickly," and added, "The most important thing is to find out why we lost and how to win the hearts of the people going forward." He further said, "It is very important that we figure it out ourselves, not be taught by someone else."

Shin Sang-jin, member of the United Future Party. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, supporters of the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' system argue that Kim's advocated '40s generation theory' and his strong leadership can lead party reform.

Previously, former Chairman Kim expressed his intention for personnel reform within the party and advocated the '40s generation theory.' Regarding this, United Future Party lawmaker Ha Tae-kyung said on the 26th through his Facebook, "Former Chairman Kim said that if he takes charge of the United Future Party emergency committee, he will put forward a candidate in their 40s for the presidential election," and added, "Although I am in my 50s, I support the 40s generation theory."

He continued, "Because with new competition expansion, the possibility of party reform and regime change increases," and argued, "The United Future Party must accept the people's mandate and push for bold reform and change."

United Future Party lawmaker Shin Sang-jin also said in a statement on the same day, "I hope the agenda for the emergency committee with Kim Jong-in as chairman will be passed at the national committee meeting to be held on the 28th."

Shin emphasized, "What we need most right now is strong leadership with expansiveness that can push forward as they think for the true transformation of our party without blinking an eye despite numerous internal resistances and criticisms. Someone who can cut into the festering wounds that we ourselves are too scared to touch."

He added, "Entrusting our problems to outsiders is humiliating. But even if humiliating, we must take this opportunity to undergo major surgery to remove the festering wounds," and argued, "It is better to die during surgery than to live as a political zombie that moderately endures and continues to erode the country and society."

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