Jo Hae-jin: "High Possibility That Kim Jong-in's Emergency Committee Won't Launch... May Accept If Conditions Improve"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 28th, the United Future Party held a national committee meeting and approved the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee (ERC)' system, but former Chief Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in rejected it. Meanwhile, United Future Party elected member Cho Hae-jin predicted, "There is a high possibility that the Kim Jong-in ERC will not be launched." However, he left room for acceptance if the conditions desired by former Chairman Kim are improved.

On the 29th, Cho appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "At this point in time, it seems highly likely that the launch will not happen."

However, he added, "If the conditions desired by Kim Jong-in ERC Chairman are improved within a certain period, there is a possibility of acceptance after careful consideration," and said, "When a new floor leader is elected around the 8th or 9th of next month, various tasks related to the 21st National Assembly will be led and handled by this acting leader, so how this acting leader and the acting system settle will affect the outcome."

The day before, the United Future Party approved the 'Kim Jong-in ERC' at the national committee, but the standing national committee meeting held just before was canceled, resulting in failure to amend the party constitution and regulations that define the term of the ERC chairman. Even if former Chairman Kim accepts the ERC chairman position, he would effectively start with a limited term of four months. This is a difficult condition for former Chairman Kim, who demands a guaranteed term until the environment for the presidential election is prepared.

Cho argued that due to the 'principle of no double jeopardy,' the standing national committee cannot be reopened, and that the procedure and process of extending the term must be followed after the ERC is launched and recognized within the party. He said, "If Chairman Kim takes office and works for about two months, and the party forms a consensus that 'he seems to be doing well, although it will take more than six months to see immediate results, he is progressing well, and if this continues, we can expect good outcomes, so it would be good for him to take on more party work,' the party can voluntarily create such a process."

He continued, "If he sincerely wants to make his last dedication to the party and the country without selfish motives, and if he is confident that he can create consensus through communication with lawmakers, key party officials, and party members, there is no reason to ask for an indefinite term," and criticized, "Asking for full authority without such goodwill reflects a mindset of 'Even if I propose a good plan, these people are very anti-reform and will not accept it; they will resist.'"

Regarding the '40s generation theory' advocated by former Chairman Kim, Cho said, "(Kim's) intention itself can be interpreted as goodwill. The idea that the party should be younger in their 40s aligns with public sentiment, and since the economy is important, there can be consensus among party members that leaders who understand the economy should be created," adding, "However, by specifying the age group himself, many people are speculating that 'he has a particular person in mind,' which is causing misunderstandings."

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