Kim Jong-in "Seoul and Busan Mayoral By-elections Can Be Won Smoothly... Primary Rules Are Important"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Kim Jong-in, the Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, expressed confidence in the Seoul and Busan by-elections scheduled for April next year and requested cooperation from lawmakers regarding the primary election rules that increased the reflection ratio of public opinion polls.

Chairman Kim said at a video meeting of lawmakers held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 17th, "I believe the by-elections on April 7 next year will be an election that comprehensively evaluates the government's achievements over the past four years," adding, "Based on the government's achievements so far, I think we can win comfortably."

He emphasized, "The most important thing is how to properly select a candidate through the appropriate procedures," and added, "The general public's sentiment is most interested in how the opposition party will select its candidate." He then urged, "Lawmakers should take this into consideration and provide many opinions on setting the primary election rules."

Earlier, the party's primary preparation committee tentatively finalized the primary election rules on the 12th, which apply a 100% reflection ratio of public opinion polls in the preliminary primary and 80% in the main primary. This is a rule that significantly increases the weight of general public opinion compared to the previous '50% public opinion polls, 50% party members' ratio.

In response, some within the party have expressed dissatisfaction with the reduced proportion of party member votes.

Regarding next year's budget review, Chairman Kim criticized, "I understand that next year's budget was prepared on the premise that the COVID-19 crisis has been somewhat overcome, but judging from recent developments, I think the spread may increase further," adding, "The government is focusing the budget considerably on untact companies, but it seems there is no significant change for those in difficult situations due to COVID-19, such as self-employed people."

He requested, "Please review this more carefully. Please make efforts so that our party's promise to accompany the vulnerable can be realized," and "I hope that during the review process, consideration will be given to prevent the need for additional budget proposals to provide subsidies again to all classes, especially the socially vulnerable."

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