'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' This Week's Turning Point... Some Alternative Proposals Still in 'Fog'

Chairman Park Yong-man of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry is having a meeting with Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, at the National Assembly on the 19th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The direction of the Future United Party's 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee' is expected to be decided within this week. It is likely that the party convention will be postponed until the end of this year or early next year to extend the Emergency Committee Chairman's term. However, it is still uncertain as former United Party General Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in is known to insist on a 'one-year' term. Some within the party are also mentioning former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik or defeated lawmaker Kim Yong-tae as alternatives.

On the 19th, a United Party official said, "Opinions about the Emergency Committee will pour out at the elected members' workshop held on the 21st and 22nd," adding, "Even physically, holding the party convention by the end of August is difficult, so there is generally an atmosphere agreeing to proceed with the Emergency Committee system until the end of the year or early next year."

There is an underlying assumption that if a term of about 7 to 8 months is guaranteed, former Chairman Kim could take the position. However, it is known that Kim Jong-in believes the Emergency Committee should continue until the by-elections in April next year to maintain substantial influence within the party and achieve results. This could provoke strong opposition within the party. Elected member Kim Ki-hyun even mentioned, "If the Emergency Committee's term extends until April next year, it would no longer be an Emergency Committee but an ordinary committee."

A party official said, "If the party convention is held immediately after the defeat in the general election, regional or factional conflicts could inevitably arise," adding, "Now is the time for strong innovation, so the Emergency Committee is unavoidable even if the period is extended. The key issue will be whether to continue beyond next year's by-elections."

Since only elected members will gather at this workshop, the possibility of skepticism about the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' itself cannot be ruled out. A first-term elected member said, "In any case, since he served as the election committee chairman in the general election, he cannot be free from responsibility," and added, "Alternatives such as former Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik or party lawmakers Kim Yong-tae and Kim Se-yeon should also be considered."

However, there are considerable concerns that if voices opposing the already promoted 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee' by the leadership grow louder, internal party strife will intensify. This is why it is difficult for collective opinions from first-term or youth factions to emerge. A youth faction official within the United Party said, "While the Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee may not be the best option, considering that it is not easy to prepare alternatives immediately, we will not issue organized opposition."

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