United Future Party to Decide on 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' at National Convention... No Conclusion at Elected Members' General Assembly

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] The United Future Party gathered opinions from elected members regarding the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee (ERC),' but the views did not converge into one, and the matter was passed on to the National Committee. Even if the National Committee concludes to adopt the ERC system, there were opinions that the authority and term of the ERC chairman should be somewhat limited.

Shim Jae-cheol, acting party leader of the United Future Party, said to reporters after the elected members' general meeting held at the National Assembly on the 28th, "There were various opinions for and against the 'Kim Jong-in ERC,' whether to go with the ERC or hold a party convention," adding this.

He said that the scheduled Standing National Committee at 2 p.m. and the National Committee at 3 p.m. would proceed as planned, stating, "Because it is democracy, it will be accepted. If the vote is 5 to 4, which side would you follow?"

At the National Committee meeting that day, it was planned to conclude by majority vote whether to accept the Kim Jong-in ERC system. The United Future Party's Supreme Council, immediately after the general election defeat, surveyed opinions from party lawmakers and elected members and appointed former general election campaign chairman Kim Jong-in as the ERC chairman. However, there are criticisms that this procedure was inappropriate, and voices are growing that instead of the ERC system, an early party convention should be held centered on the existing elected members to form the leadership.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Regarding this, Acting Leader Shim said, "There were criticisms about the previous telephone survey procedure, so I explained the situation and date and asked for understanding." He added, "The opinions of the elected members are valuable, but the opinions of the current 20th National Assembly lawmakers are also important," and said, "Overall, the organization that decides the party's highest leadership system is the National Committee, and I think the logic mentioned today will be raised and discussed at the National Committee."

In response to the criticism that the 'Kim Jong-in ERC' would have difficulty gaining strength due to opposition within the party, he said, "If there are nine members and the vote is 5 to 4, where should we go?" and "It is a situation where a decision must be made."

Lee Man-hee, a lawmaker who presided over the elected members' general meeting, said, "Even if we have no choice but to go with the ERC system, many elected members want the authority and term to be somewhat specified," adding, "I hope other opinions will emerge at this afternoon's National Committee."

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