Kim Jong-in Says "Don't Pick Fights Even If Values Differ"... When Asked About Meaning, He Just Laughs "Heoheo" (Summary)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, addressed internal dissent regarding the party's 'progressive change,' stating, "Even if there are actions that deviate from past values, let's not quarrel too much and cooperate with each other."

Chairman Kim said at a members' meeting held at the National Assembly main building on the morning of the 2nd, "I ask for much cooperation so that the party can get on a normal track and establish a system capable of contesting the presidential election."

He added, "When I officially took office as Emergency Committee Chairman yesterday, I said, 'I will make this party a progressive party.' I have had extensive experience and previously participated in the emergency committee of the Saenuri Party, the predecessor of the United Future Party, so I understand the party's nature well."

Chairman Kim expressed concern, saying, "While campaigning, I realized the situation the United Future Party is in, and the results were very disappointing. If this situation continues and we face the March 2022 presidential election, we cannot help but wonder, 'What will become of this party?'"

He emphasized, "Honestly, I have never once thought that I must do this job. However, I did not take this position for any personal special purpose but because I believe that if politics does not develop in a balanced way for the advancement of democracy in our country, the future will not be bright."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Chairman Kim stated, "We are currently experiencing a situation never before faced due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19). I believe that unless we achieve disruptive innovation in our current political situation, the country's future will not be bright."

After the members' meeting, when asked by reporters about his future plans, Chairman Kim was reserved, saying, "If there is anything to talk about later, I will say it all, so please wait until then." When asked about his remark to 'not quarrel,' he responded with a smile.

Within the party, there are expectations that Chairman Kim will remove the word 'conservative' from the party platform and disband the Yeouido Research Institute (Yeoyeon). When asked about disbanding Yeoyeon, Chairman Kim replied, "We have to wait and see. What's the rush? Don't try to ask about it." He did not respond to questions regarding concerns about removing 'conservative.'

Meanwhile, Representative Jang Je-won criticized on Facebook that morning, saying, "The Kim Jong-in emergency committee says not to use the words 'conservative' or even 'free right-wing.' Does that mean we can't even use the term 'reform conservative'?"

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