Kim Jong-in's 'Broad Outreach' Embracing Centrists... Mixed Reactions from Ruling and Opposition Parties

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, is continuing his "broad-spectrum actions," having criticized former President Park Geun-hye in Daegu and then visited the May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju, where he knelt and apologized. He is also set to reveal the party's new name at the end of this month. This is interpreted as an effort to win over the centrist voters and expand the party's base to boost support.

On the morning of the 19th, Chairman Kim paid respects at the May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju. After offering incense at the memorial tower, he knelt with the party leadership and bowed his head in apology. He acknowledged that the party had failed to take strict action against members who denied the May 18 event. He said, "As the person responsible for the party, I sincerely apologize for the wrongful remarks and actions of party members," adding, "I am ashamed and sorry. I have come too late." This is the first time a conservative party leader has knelt in front of the memorial tower at the Democratic Cemetery.

Earlier, on the 18th, he strongly criticized former President Park in Daegu, known as the "heart of conservatism." During an online training lecture for local council members, he said, "Former President Park broke the promises she made to the people after being elected," and added, "We need to think about why we ended up facing the impeachment crisis." By moving between the 'holy sites' of conservatism and progressivism over two consecutive days and making 'post-conservative' remarks and actions, he has stirred political issues.

Kim's broad-spectrum actions overlap with the recent moves of the United Future Party, which has explicitly included the May 18 Democratic Movement and economic democratization in its party platform and is seeking change. On the 13th, the party's emergency committee's special committee on revising the party platform unveiled ten policy directions, including basic income and a labor-respecting society. The party is now only left with announcing the new party name at the end of this month. Public submissions are open until the 21st, and the final result will be announced on the 31st. The issues led by Chairman Kim continue to drive the party's search for new change.

Support for Kim's actions is also growing within the party. Ha Tae-kyung, chairman of the United Future Party's Busan city branch, stated on the 20th that he supports Kim's sincere resolution and will put it into practice, announcing a concrete plan to expel party members who belittle or insult the May 18 event.

Other party members also expressed encouragement. Jang Je-won said, "Although it is belated, it is fortunate." Cho Su-jin added, "It reminded me of Willy Brandt, the former West German Chancellor," and Han Moo-kyung called it "the true beginning of change for the United Future Party."

The ruling party has generally taken a critical view of Kim's intentions. Lee Won-wook said, "Kneeling without action is just a show," urging the opposition to cooperate in enacting the law to punish distortion of the May 18 history. Jeong Cheong-rae criticized Kim as a "collaborator of Chun Doo-hwan," calling it a "melodrama." The Democratic Party's Gwangju city branch expressed gratitude but pressured for follow-up measures, hoping it was a sincere step. On the other hand, Kim Boo-kyum praised the move as "progress in history" during an interview on KBS Radio's 'Kim Kyung-rae's Strong Current' on the 20th, saying, "It should be evaluated on its own merits."

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