Cho Kyung-tae Advocates 'Self-Reliance Theory', Lee Jun-seok Says 'No Such Person Exists'

Radio Debate Among Supreme Council Members Over 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee'

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] "Our party relies too much on outsiders." (Cho Kyung-tae, Supreme Council Member of the United Future Party)

"When the public hears it, there is no one who makes them say, 'Ah, yes, that person is enough for the self-reliance theory.'" (Lee Jun-seok, Supreme Council Member of the United Future Party)

As the United Future Party has decided on the 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee (ERC)' system and only the final confirmation through the National Committee remains, voices still strongly advocating 'self-reliance theory' are rising. On the 25th, Supreme Council Members Cho Kyung-tae and Lee Jun-seok each expressed opposing views on 'self-reliance theory' through radio interviews.

Supreme Council Member Cho appeared that morning on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' saying, "Floor Leader Joo Ho-young seemed to have hastily suggested going with former General Election Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in based on the elected officials' (workshop) results," adding, "Since this is actually about extending the ERC chairman's term, the Standing National Committee and National Committee procedures must be followed respectively."

The United Future Party also attempted to extend the term by holding a Standing National Committee last month but failed due to a lack of quorum. When asked about the possibility of this happening again, Supreme Council Member Cho said, "There are many criticisms about whether the party shows an irresponsible image by frequently recruiting outsiders, so if the majority of party members' opinions are reflected, it will not easily pass this National Committee either," raising the possibility of reversal.

He said, "In the case of the Democratic Party of Korea, even though they won about 81 seats in 2008, they did not entrust their operations to outsiders but formed a new leadership through a party convention, showing their current image as a ruling party," adding, "It is quite frustrating and regrettable that our party does not show such an image."

Regarding the 'Kim Jong-in ERC' being composed mainly of people in their 30s and 40s, he said, "Our party has been too dependent on outsiders, an external dependency type, from the 20th National Assembly until now," adding, "Although those who came from outside will certainly make efforts, ultimately, the responsibility part will inevitably be quite insufficient."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the other hand, Supreme Council Member Lee appeared the same day on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current Affairs,' saying, "For self-reliance theory to work, when the public hears it, a name should come up that makes them say, 'Ah, yes, that person is enough for self-reliance theory,' but no one can name such a person," adding, "From the standpoint that party leadership and presidential candidacy should be separated, anyone classified as a presidential candidate can do it, but the moment one person rises, the rest will almost attack at an autoimmune level," showing a skeptical response to self-reliance theory.

The United Future Party set the term of the 'Kim Jong-in ERC' until next year's by-elections through the elected officials' workshop. Regarding this, Supreme Council Member Lee said, "If things don't go well before then, they will probably pull him down, but if things go well, they might let him continue," adding, "Since a presidential candidate must be elected soon regardless of who is elected as party leader, the party convention does not have much significance."

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