Kim Jong-in Emergency Committee Launch Imminent... Will There Be a 'Twist' at the Final National Committee Meeting?

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] The 'Kim Jong-in Emergency Response Committee (ERC)' that had been in turmoil for over a month is on the verge of its official launch. The Standing National Committee and the National Committee of the United Future Party, scheduled for the 27th, are the final hurdles. Amid ongoing opposition within some factions of the United Future Party, Kim Jong-in, the designated ERC chairman, has taken steps to solidify his position within the party by meeting directly with party district chairpersons.

On the same day, the United Future Party will hold the Standing National Committee and National Committee meetings at the National Assembly to approve the 'Kim Jong-in ERC' system. The party plans to delete the party regulations that mandate holding a party convention by the end of August and pass the nomination plan at the National Committee. Once this process is completed, Kim Jong-in will lead the party until the by-elections scheduled for April next year.

There are still voices within the party advocating opposition. Cho Kyung-tae, a Supreme Council member of the United Future Party, told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "Even the Justice Party, which won six seats in the general election, is holding a party convention in August, so why proceed with the 'Kim Jong-in ERC' that neither party members nor the public support?" He added, "Party members will choose according to their conscience," suggesting that the results could be overturned at the National Committee or Standing National Committee. He pointed out that only 19% supported the 'Kim Jong-in ERC' in a recent poll conducted by Jo Won C&I commissioned by Cookie News. Among United Future Party supporters, only 28.6% supported the ERC.

Seemingly aware of the unfavorable opinion within the party, Kim Jong-in attended the National Party District Chairpersons' Meeting held before the National Committee meeting to outline the party's innovation direction and encourage district chairpersons who lost their seats. Since district chairpersons also serve as national committee members, this meeting could translate into support for Kim Jong-in at the National Committee. Because the National Committee requires a majority of members present to pass resolutions, the support of district chairpersons is essential for amending party regulations and launching the ERC.

Whether the Standing National Committee will be properly convened is also a matter of interest. Last month, former floor leader Shim Jae-cheol attempted to convene the Standing National Committee to amend the ERC's term but failed due to a lack of quorum. If the committee fails again due to non-attendance by standing members, the ERC issue could plunge into further confusion. However, there is growing speculation within the party that it will not fail this time. Most 20th National Assembly members, who make up half of the Standing National Committee, have expressed their intention to attend.

A United Future Party official in charge of the Standing National Committee said, "Representatives from provincial councils and representatives from local district and city/county councils move almost in unison with the 20th National Assembly members, and most have said they will attend," adding, "Floor leader Joo Ho-young and floor deputy leader Kim Sung-won have been making numerous calls, so while there may be discussions at the Standing National Committee, it will ultimately converge in favor."

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