Kang Seok-ho, Former Lawmaker, Says Kim Jong-in's 'Busan Mayor Candidate' Remark Was Meant to Provoke

Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending the Emergency Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 15th and delivering an opening remark. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Kang Seok-ho, a former lawmaker leading the 'Towards a Better World' Forum (Mapo Forum), where opposition presidential hopefuls gather, interpreted the controversy surrounding Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, who made remarks implying that "there is no suitable candidate for the Busan mayoral election," as an attempt to provoke a reaction.

On the 19th, Kang appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "Since Chairman Kim is a person without personal interests, his provocative words and actions can be interpreted as a continuous strong push for innovation within the party."

Chairman Kim visited Busan on the 16th to attend the 41st anniversary ceremony of the Busan-Masan Democratic Uprising and made remarks implying that "there is no suitable candidate among the currently mentioned figures," which sparked outrage within the party. Former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Byung-joon of the Liberty Korea Party (now People Power Party) criticized, "If you think that way, you might as well close the door," and three-term lawmaker Jang Je-won of the People Power Party pointed out, "A person of that stature is engaging in self-destructive behavior wherever he goes."

Regarding this, former lawmaker Kang said, "Chairman Kim's comment that 'there is no one' can be seen positively as a provocative statement," adding, "When he says that, he probably has in mind the kind of person or ideal figure he envisions."

On rumors that Chairman Kim might run for president, Kang said, "The Mapo Forum also had suspicions that he might run as a presidential candidate, but in a lecture, Chairman Kim clearly stated that he has no intention of becoming a presidential candidate and personally, considering his age, he does not have the energy for it," adding, "Since then, I have believed in his sincerity."

On the 15th, at the Mapo Forum, Won Hee-ryong, Governor of Jeju, who is considered a leading opposition presidential candidate, declared his candidacy. On the 12th of next month, Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, will take the podium.

Regarding Chairman Kim’s negative remarks about Ahn Cheol-soo, former lawmaker Kang said, "If Leader Ahn is considered suitable for the people's will in various ways, Chairman Kim would not refuse," and in response to the host’s question, "Was the invitation of Leader Ahn for a special lecture at the Mapo Forum also in that context?" he answered, "Yes."

When asked if there are plans to invite former Deputy Prime Minister Kim Dong-yeon, who is also considered another opposition presidential candidate by the media, Kang said, "I have conveyed the message through a third party, but I have heard that he has no intention of publicly stepping forward at this time."

Kim Moo-sung, former leader of the Saenuri Party (now People Power Party), who participates in the Mapo Forum, is also considered a presidential candidate. Former lawmaker Kang said, "In these times when there is a lack of talent, considering past political experience and other factors, he is the most suitable person who has the conditions to become a leader," adding, "Kim, the former leader, led the impeachment of the president and for various reasons, I think it is not a position for him to step forward. I believe he currently has no intention of running at all."

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