[Comprehensive] "I never even dreamed of it" United Party's 'Presidential Candidate Baek Jong-won' Behind the Scenes

Kim Jong-in: "How about someone like Baek Jong-won as the next presidential candidate?"
Jo Su-jin, United Party lawmaker, explains the situation on SNS
Representative Baek was offered proportional representation in the April 13, 2016 general election
Attended the October 2018 National Assembly audit, stating "If you're not prepared, you shouldn't run a restaurant"
"No interest in politics at all... just works hard on his own tasks"

Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea
[Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea, expressed reluctance, saying he "has never even dreamed" of being mentioned as a next presidential candidate by Kim Jong-in, emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party.

Earlier, JoongAng Ilbo reported that Chairman Kim recently mentioned at a luncheon with first-term proportional representatives of the party, in response to a question from lawmakers asking "Who do you think of as the party's next presidential candidate?" that "How about someone like Baek Jong-won?"

Regarding the report, Baek said in a phone call with Yonhap News on the 23rd, "(The presidential election) is something I have never even dreamed of, and I find my current work the most enjoyable and fulfilling."

He added, "It was such a surprising story that I just laughed it off," and "Since the report has been widely circulated, I am saying this to prevent any misunderstandings."

Amid the so-called 'Baek Jong-won presidential theory' gaining attention, Rep. Jo Su-jin of the United Future Party shared the situation on her Facebook on the 23rd.

Rep. Jo said, "At the time, Chairman Kim Jong-in said that since the 1997 presidential election when President Kim Dae-jung was elected, the momentum theory did not maintain its power until the end. Naturally, the attendees' interest focused on the next presidential election. There is no outstanding presidential candidate in the United Future Party yet. Chairman Kim smiled and said, 'How about someone like Baek Jong-won?' Some attendees responded that 'During the last general election, the ruling party offered to nominate him in the Gangnam area of Seoul.' Chairman Kim kept smiling and said, 'Baek Jong-won seems to be someone liked by people of all ages and genders. I don't think anyone dislikes him,'" explaining the situation when Baek was mentioned.

Rep. Jo added, "I understood it as a remark that the momentum theory two years before the presidential election is not very meaningful at the current point, and that while recognition and popularity are important for leading presidential candidates, they should also have low levels of aversion."

Baek Jong-won, CEO of The Born Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

Meanwhile, Baek previously revealed that he was also offered a proportional representation candidacy ahead of the April 13, 2016 general election.

At the time, Baek appeared on a radio program, and when the host asked, "Were you offered a proportional representation candidacy during the current general election?" he drew a line, saying, "Oh no, don't say such a serious thing." He then stated, "Once again, I have no interest in politics, even putting my son on the line."

Baek emphasized again, "I have absolutely no interest in politics," and said, "I have received many proposals to enter politics from those around me. But if my children changed their names, please think, 'Maybe they are going into politics.' But that will never happen. They should just focus on their own work."

Photo by SBS 'Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant'

Additionally, on October 12, 2018, Baek appeared as a reference witness at the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Small and Medium Enterprises and Startups Committee's audit of the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, where he expressed his views on the food service industry. At the time, he said, "In our country, it is too easy to enter the food service industry. If you are not prepared, you should not run a restaurant."

In response to a question from former Democratic Party lawmaker Baek Jae-hyun about franchise startups, Baek said, "I also tried preparing a store in the U.S., and it takes about 1 to 2 years to open a new store. But here, the problem is that you can open immediately after reporting," adding, "Because it is easy to open, people do it without preparation. If you are not prepared, you should not do it."

He continued, "According to my research, the number of stores per capita in our country is excessively high. Since the domestic food service industry is saturated, looking at overseas markets is also a method."

Meanwhile, Baek is loved by the public through his broadcasting activities, leading the popularization of cooking and revitalization of local commercial districts.

He appears on SBS TV's "Baek Jong-won's Alley Restaurant," which visits depressed local restaurants to suggest solutions and give them a chance to recover, and "Delicious Rendezvous," which promotes local specialties.

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