Kim Jong-in Visits Honam... When Asked About 'TK Approval Rating Drop,' He Says "I Don't Care Much"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Lee Ji-eun and Kim Hye-min] Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, visited Honam after five days. Regarding concerns raised about the decline in support ratings in Daegu-Gyeongbuk (TK), he dismissed them, saying, "I don't pay much attention to it."

On the afternoon of the 3rd, just before attending a meeting with small and medium-sized business owners from Gwangju and Jeonnam at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju, Kim told reporters, "Polls can go either way," expressing this view.

He said, "I don't pay much attention to that (the drop in support ratings)" and added, "We will continue to push forward with what we have set." This came in response to survey results showing that the Democratic Party of Korea overtook the TK support ratings, influenced by recent successive 'Honam love calls.' In this context, former Liberty Korea Party leader Hong Joon-pyo criticized, saying, "They are begging for votes in Honam, where there are no by-elections."

Regarding the ruling party's request to pass the May 18 Special Act, he said, "since discussions have already begun in the National Assembly, the act itself will have significant meaning," adding, "I think decisions will be made within common sense during the legislative process."

That day, Chairman Kim expressed his affection for Honam and his determination to demonstrate it through actions and practice. At the policy consultation with Gwangju metropolitan and local government heads, he said, "Our party has deep interest and affection so that the Honam region can grow and develop further," adding, "Our efforts and sincerity will be shown through actions and practice."

Kim said, "Honam was a nationally important region, accounting for half of the country's prominence until the Joseon Dynasty," and "Now, it is emerging as a global advanced city leading the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and we will ensure that the Honam region, rich in economic, social, and cultural traditions, can grow and develop further."

He added, "Since there are no members of our party or local heads from Honam, there is some regret that various efforts are not well communicated," and "Honam companion lawmakers will consider Gwangju their second hometown and make great efforts in budget support, policy development, and regional development." On the same day, in front of the city council, students from the Gwangju-Jeonnam University Progressive Union held placards and protested, chanting for the 'acceptance of the May 18 Special Act' and other demands.

At the Jeonnam small and medium-sized business owners' meeting, Kim said, "The People Power Party will make many efforts to integrate automation, robots, big data, and other technologies into small and medium-sized enterprises as we transition to the Fourth Industrial Revolution after the COVID-19 crisis," adding, "We will also strive for policy development to support small and medium-sized enterprises."

He pointed out that the economic development history over the past 50 years was "centered on large corporations," saying, "Our country's large corporations have already grown significantly and secured competitiveness independently in the international market," and added, "If policy considerations do not provide many benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises and self-employed people, who have not received much benefit in the past, we cannot establish a framework for our society to develop normally."

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