Sung Il-jong "The reason for the United Party's defeat seen by the winner is failing to serve the people well... Lack of leadership strategy"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] On the 21st, the elected members of the United Future Party gathered in one place for a workshop to analyze the causes of defeat in the general election. During the session, it was pointed out that the party lacked service to the people and that the leadership's strategy was absent, leading to the loss.

On the 22nd, United Future Party lawmaker Sung Il-jong stated on MBC Radio's "Kim Jong-bae's Focus" that "At the workshop, many opinions were expressed that we need genuine reflection and remorse on whether we truly served the people well, held their hands when they were hurting and struggling, got closer to them, and worked for the people."

He added, "There was also a prevailing discussion that 'our party leadership lacked strategy and showed incompetence,' 'Did we have a vision for the future and understand the changes of the times?' and 'How did we approach the youth and centrist groups with our policies?'"

Regarding the 'Kim Jong-in emergency committee' system discussed at the workshop on the 22nd, Lawmaker Sung gave a positive evaluation. He said, "There are several points for party reform, but the most difficult issues for this administration are economic failures such as income-led growth and nuclear phase-out. In that regard, former general election committee chairman Kim Jong-in has economic insight and alternatives, so he is capable of leading and guiding the opposition party."

He also mentioned the need to extend the current term, which is set to end at the end of August. Lawmaker Sung said, "With less than three months left until the end of August, it is practically impossible. December could be considered, but with the regular National Assembly session, that is also physically impossible, so it would have to be between January and March."

Regarding whether to give the nomination rights for the by-elections scheduled for April 7 next year to former chairman Kim, he said, "Who holds the nomination rights is not the important thing; the process must be transparent and only good candidates should be presented. This should not be done based on party leadership or personal political ambitions."

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