United Future Party, After Struggles, Approves Kim Jong-in's 4-Month Interim Committee Term (Update)

Approval 177 vs Opposition 80... Amid Confusion, 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' Passed
But 'Term Limit' Not Changed, Half-Approved... Will Kim Jong-in Accept?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] The new party leadership system of the United Future Party, the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee,' was approved after much difficulty. However, with the previous Standing National Committee meeting canceled, it will start as a temporary organization with a term granted until the end of August.

On the 28th, the United Future Party held a national committee meeting at the 63 Convention Center in Yeouido, Seoul, and after a vote, the appointment of 'Kim Jong-in as Emergency Response Committee Chairman' was approved with 177 votes in favor and 80 against out of 323 members.

Jeong Woo-taek, chairman of the National Committee, declared, "After nearly 10 minutes of debate for and against, the vote showed that the majority of attending members supported the proposal," and "the appointment of the Emergency Response Committee was approved as originally proposed."

However, the previously held Standing National Committee failed to meet the quorum and could not even convene. At that meeting, an amendment to the party constitution was scheduled to hold a party convention by the end of August to form a new leadership. This was a preliminary step to prevent fixing the term of the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee' until the end of August, but only 17 out of 45 standing national committee members attended, failing to reach a majority, and the amendment was ultimately rejected.

Accordingly, the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee' will launch with a half-measure term of four months. However, acting party leader Shim Jae-cheol stated, "Future amendments to the party constitution will be pursued by the new Emergency Response Committee chairman."

Nonetheless, it is uncertain whether former general election committee chairman Kim Jong-in will accept the 'time-limited Emergency Response Committee,' which was barely approved amid controversy. As soon as the approval news was conveyed to Kim's side, they expressed displeasure, saying, "Former Chairman Kim does not consider this decision as his appointment to the Emergency Response Committee chairman."

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