"The presidential candidate is not chosen by anyone's decree"… Jang Je-won targets Kim Jong-in again

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Jang Je-won, a member of the United Future Party (UFP) who has been continuously criticizing Kim Jong-in, the UFP Emergency Committee Chairman, extended his criticism at a National Assembly forum he hosted, stating, "A presidential candidate is not someone who is appointed by anyone." Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju Province, emphasized 'conservative values' and indirectly criticized Kim's 'post-conservative' stance, while expressing a positive view on basic income.

On the 9th, during a special commemorative lecture for the opening of the 'Korea Future Innovation Forum' which he leads, Jang said in his greeting, "A presidential candidate is not someone who becomes one by catching the eye of the party's power holders or being appointed by anyone," adding, "It is the will for power and the people's scrutiny that create a presidential candidate." He further expressed his conviction, saying, "From now on, regardless of party lines, we will create a small playground for those who will lead Korea."

At the innovation forum that day, lawmakers Kwon Seong-dong, Kim Seok-ki, Kim Jong-min, Park Seong-jung, Bae Jun-young, Bae Hyun-jin, Baek Jong-heon, Seo Il-jun, Song Seok-jun, Yoon Han-hong, Lee Joo-hwan, Lee Cheol-gyu, Lim I-ja, Jeong Un-cheon, Jeong Jeom-sik, Hong Moon-pyo, and Hwang Bo-seung-hee attended.

Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo also attended the forum that day. In his greeting, he said, "After going around, I have come back to Yeouido," and added, "Since I am currently independent, I hope for someone who will properly lead the opposition party." Floor leader Joo Ho-young also expressed gratitude, saying, "I appreciate having this opportunity to examine the problems of Korean politics and the National Assembly around the start of the 21st National Assembly."

At the forum, Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju, gave a lecture on the UFP's election defeat and innovation, emphasizing 'conservative values.' He said, "If we become a mere copy of progressives, we will forever be second and never come to power," adding, "The conclusion is that the path of Korean conservatism is our DNA that we can never give up." This contrasts with Emergency Committee Chairman Kim, who emphasizes post-conservatism, saying he dislikes the word 'conservative.'

He stated, "The dynamism of conservatism, which led bold changes in Korean history, is the core driving force of modern Korean history and our identity," and added, "Looking back at modern history, conservatism chose to break through head-on with a cold-eyed recognition of reality amid the movements of the global world order. Although there were many problems, the people supported conservatism as the only ruling power."

Governor Won pointed out, "These days, there is debate about whether to use the word 'conservative' or not. If you say 'Don't think about an elephant,' you end up thinking about an elephant," and said, "We must prove to the people that conservatism is a prepared and competent group." This appears to be an indirect criticism of Chairman Kim, who suggested not using the word 'conservative.'

He also gave his opinion on basic income, a topic recently raised by Chairman Kim. He said, "In Jeju, there are many approaches through productive welfare to support education, jobs, and the real lives of our people, and this is basic income," emphasizing, "What we are building in Jeju is my asset as a policy that guarantees the basic capabilities and basic opportunities of the people." This showed his intention to address the basic income agenda based on his experience in Jeju.

Governor Won criticized the ruling party, saying, "The fake progressive groups nowadays have no ability to solve COVID-19 and are reversing the changes of modern history," and added, "What they are good at is ideology and agitation, taking away and distributing during their term to gain popularity and votes, and then coming back to power to solve things. This is the essence of fake progressives becoming power-holders and vested interests."

In this context, he raised his voice for the need to improve the unfavorable image of the UFP. Governor Won said, "No matter how critical you are of the current administration, the public's reaction is, 'That's not your place to say,'" and pointed out, "Didn't you feel this during the Cho Kuk and Yoon Mee-hyang cases? Although the majority of the people sympathize, they say, 'That's not your place to say,' and do not recognize your qualifications. The reasons are privatization of state power, privatization of nomination rights, and privatization of public office."

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