People Power Party's Kim Ki-hyun: "Kim Jong-in's stance on Ahn Cheol-soo is a 'political slogan'... It may change depending on the situation"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] Kim Ki-hyun, a four-term senior member of the People Power Party, expressed the view that it is possible for Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, to not join the People Power Party but instead form a so-called 'big tent' and hold a joint primary election. Regarding Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, who has insisted that Ahn should join the party and participate in the primary, Kim said this was "a kind of political slogan."

On the 21st, Kim appeared on CBS Radio’s 'Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show' and, when asked about the idea of "setting up a big tent and coming together in a hodgepodge manner," he said, "Personally, I think we should consider everything fully open," adding, "Although there were remarks from Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in telling him to join the People Power Party, politics involves promises that must be kept from past statements, but sometimes circumstances require changes."

He continued, "Rather than a promise, it was a kind of political slogan or motto. In that regard, with flexibility, if there is a role we must play through opposition party unity to win the Seoul mayoral election and the presidential election, shouldn’t we consider everything fully open?"

Regarding Ahn’s declaration of candidacy, there are reportedly many positive reactions within the People Power Party. Kim evaluated, "(Ahn’s) decision to shift to running for Seoul mayor was a very good choice," and said, "Because he expressed his willingness for opposition party unity, that is very meaningful."

He added, "I have consistently argued that anti-Moon alliance, opposition party unity, and further opposition party integration are very important not only for next year’s Seoul and Busan mayoral elections but also for the upcoming presidential election," and said, "I believe that turning point should be the by-elections in April next year, so in that sense, this is a very progressive development."

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