Jo Hae-jin "Many opinions to extend the emergency committee period... Kim Jong-in may also want to push the deadline"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Jo Hae-jin, the elected member of the United Future Party, conveyed that within the party, there are many opinions that the term of the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' should be extended beyond the initially set end of August. However, there is also speculation that former Chief Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in might desire a longer term.

On the 13th, Jo appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "At the last national committee meeting, there was more support for establishing an emergency committee with a certain extended period beyond the four months until August, rather than the emergency committee itself, and entrusting it to Chairman Kim Jong-in."

When asked if a compromise extending to around the end of the year was emerging, he replied, "Since the floor leader is aware of it, I cannot say for sure, but they must have mentioned it because such a thing exists."

However, he expressed skepticism about whether Kim would accept the 'end-of-year card' being discussed within the party.

Jo explained, "The earliest leaked story was about extending until around March next year, and Kim himself expressed that 'he wants to create the presidential candidate,' but in reality, it means it won't be until March and will have to go further back. During the controversy, Kim Jong-in suffered various minor and major wounds, so it is also speculated that he might desire more authority and a longer term."

He added, "He might have the will to 'make it certain' and properly recover from the various dishonorable incidents during the controversy. Considering our party's reality, if he truly has a role to play for the party's revival, accepting the role until the end of the year and fulfilling it properly could be beneficial for the party."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Jong-min, who participated in the interview, evaluated, "It is a time to allow centrifugal force rather than centripetal force."

He said, "I believe the United Future Party will make such a choice (Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee) based on the premise that strong centripetal force is needed. However, it is essential to fundamentally consider whether the party needs strong centripetal force or healthy and diverse centrifugal forces. Allowing healthy centrifugal forces that gather voices from various citizens and the field and engaging in a free competition of ideas for about a year could pave the way to establish a new conservative party foundation."

In response, Jo said, "The leadership Kim demonstrated in various scenes where he showed his capabilities was a leadership that leads by taking the lead, presenting his agenda, and making others follow and be led. But the leadership our United Future Party needs now is a unifying leadership that gathers through communication. For that reason, I have basically opposed the emergency committee itself."

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