Kim Jong-in "We Must Win the April By-election... Please Cooperate Even If There Are Inconveniences"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Lim Chun-han] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, requested understanding by saying, "The party must make every effort in the April by-elections" and "Please cooperate even if there are inconveniences." This appears to be in response to the recent criticism within the party regarding the issue of apologizing for former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Lee Myung-bak.

At an emergency members' meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 8th, Chairman Kim said, "We must devote all our efforts to turning the people's hearts to our side and seizing another opportunity to normalize this country."

He added, "The April by-election for Seoul mayor next year is the chance to create such an opportunity," and questioned, "If the emergency committee misses this chance while operating, can the People Power Party predict its future?"

Chairman Kim said, "I did not come to this emergency committee chairman position to settle down," and "Because I believe we must achieve our goals, I ask everyone to cooperate in efforts to regain the people's trust in the party, even if there are some inconveniences."

This statement seems aimed at the recent criticism within the party, mainly from senior members, regarding whether to apologize for the prison sentences of former presidents. Since an apology is essential to win the April Seoul mayoral by-election, it is interpreted as a call for cooperation from the lawmakers.

Chairman Kim also comforted the lawmakers by saying, "They have endured many hardships resisting the 'majority tyranny' of the Democratic Party," and added, "In the National Assembly, there will always be friction if the majority does not consider the minority."

He said, "President Moon apologized for the Yoon Seok-yeol?Chu Mi-ae incident, saying it is 'the last painful process in the National Assembly,' which implies that the National Assembly is expected to play a role in establishing the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials," and "Looking at our country's recent political history, we know very well what kind of situation such an overreaching regime can cause."

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