Kim Jong-in on Reasons for Negative Views of the United Future Party: "Because They Didn't Reflect After Park Geun-hye's Impeachment"

Kim Jong-in Considers National Apology for Park Geun-hye Impeachment and Lee Myung-bak Imprisonment
Plans to Visit Gwangju on the 19th to Pay Respects at 5·18 Cemetery and Deliver National Message

Kim Jong-in, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the United Future Party Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] As the United Future Party is reportedly considering a public apology for the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye and the imprisonment of former President Lee Myung-bak, Kim Jong-in, the party's emergency committee chairman, evaluated the reason for the party's low favorability by saying, "It is because they did not properly reflect after the impeachment of former President Park."

On the 17th, in an interview with Hankook Ilbo, Chairman Kim said the reason for the party's high unfavorable image was "because it gave the impression of only protecting vested interests and favoring the rich."

He emphasized the party's reform efforts, saying, "The party must change until the people trust the United Future Party again and say, 'It is okay to entrust the government to these people.'"

Amid Chairman Kim's view that the party did not properly reflect after the impeachment of former President Park, the conservative camp had previously experienced internal strife over the pardon of former President Park.

Former President Park Geun-hye is attending a continuation trial at the Seoul Central District Court on the morning of July 7, 2017. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Independent lawmaker Yoon Sang-hyun, formerly of the United Future Party, wrote on his Facebook on the 11th, "I ask President Moon Jae-in to restore Gwanghwamun Square, which has become a 'symbol of division,' into a 'symbol of national unity' by the upcoming Liberation Day," and urged the pardon of former President Park, saying, "Please unite Gwanghwamun Square, which has divided the people in half."

Park Dae-chul, a United Future Party lawmaker classified as pro-Park, also wrote on his Facebook, "By this year's Liberation Day, former President Park will have served 1,234 days in prison," adding, "That is too harsh a number. It is time to make a decision."

He continued, "It is a time when the spirit of 'putting oneself in another's shoes,' mentioned by President Moon at this year's New Year's meeting, is needed," and emphasized, "I earnestly request a special pardon once again. It is time to give him freedom."

Regarding the pardon requests for former President Park raised by some opposition lawmakers at the time, Chairman Kim said, "It is not very meaningful for the party to talk about this or that."

After the emergency committee meeting at the National Assembly on the 13th, he told reporters, "A pardon is not granted upon request but is decided based on the president's judgment."

He added, "Since the two presidents our party put forward are undergoing legal trials, we feel morally sorry to the people, and we must offer a certain apology for that," mentioning the need to apologize for the imprisonment of the two former presidents.

Meanwhile, Chairman Kim plans to visit Gwangju on the 19th to pay respects at the May 18th cemetery and deliver a public message emphasizing national unity.

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