Kim Jong-in "I Have No Plans to Extend My Term... Will Return as a Private Citizen After April"

First Visit to Daegu After Inauguration...Appealing for 'Change and Support' to Daegu Party Members

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the United Future Party, commented on the possibility of extending his term due to the party's rising approval ratings on the 18th, saying, "I do not think that just because the approval rating goes up, I will continue after April next year."

On the same day, Kim visited Daegu and held a meeting with local journalists, stating, "I have never heard of the term extension within the party."

When asked if he would be willing to accept an extension if proposed by the party, he explained, "My promise is to return to being a private citizen once I complete the designated tasks I can do," adding, "You can believe it that way."

Regarding talks with President Moon Jae-in, Kim drew a line on the Blue House's suggestion to discuss the form and content frankly, saying, "It is a one-sided talk," and "I am not interested in that." He added, "I can meet the president to resolve special issues," but emphasized again the agenda and outcome of the talks, saying, "There must be a mutual will to resolve. If there are no special issues and no will to resolve, what is the point of meeting?"

On his stance toward former Presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, he stated, "Since these are cases under trial, the party will officially announce its position after the trials conclude."

Regarding the reinstatement of lawmakers who were once affiliated with the United Future Party but ran and won as independents, he said, "Since the party is in the process of recovery, it is not the time to discuss this now." Kim added, "Once the party normalizes, I will have no reason to stay any longer, so the next person can handle the subsequent matters." This firmly indicates that there is no possibility of public discussion on this issue during Kim's term, which lasts at least until April next year.

During his first visit to Daegu since taking office, Kim appealed for innovation and support from party members. Daegu and Gyeongbuk (TK) are major support bases for the United Future Party, but there is also a strong conservative faction intertwined with the Taegeukgi movement.

Kim said, "It is true that voters in the TK region elected many lawmakers for the United Future Party in the last general election," but emphasized, "It will be difficult for the United Future Party to regain power with only TK. We must win in the metropolitan area, and TK party members need to make efforts (for innovation) to consolidate perception."

He added, "Everyone will agree that the United Future Party is in crisis, and to overcome the crisis, it is only possible by changing comprehensively," saying, "Some may express dissatisfaction, but we cannot avoid innovation and must make efforts to better approach the people."

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