Kim Jong-in: "Even with 100% citizen primaries, you must join the party to participate"

"Candidates to be finalized by the end of February, negotiations likely to start in early March if unification occurs"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hye-min] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, said on the 6th, "Even if a 100% citizen primary is held, external candidates must become party members to participate in the primary," adding, "Without party membership as a prerequisite, they cannot participate in the primary together."

Chairman Kim made these remarks to reporters after receiving a courtesy visit from Yoo Young-min, Chief of Staff to the President, at the National Assembly on the same day.

In an earlier interview with KBS the previous day, he said regarding the unification of candidates with Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People’s Party, for the Seoul mayoral by-election, "I do not oppose it," and added, "As long as the unification is achieved before the election announcement, it does not matter."

On the same day, Chairman Kim also stated, "The People Power Party will finalize the most suitable candidate by the end of February," and "If unification is to happen, negotiations for unification will eventually begin in early March."

Regarding some reports that influential party members such as former lawmaker Na Kyung-won and former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon are negotiating unification, he said, "Being a senior member does not necessarily confer any special advantage, and if a newcomer comes forward with their own plan for city administration and appeals to party members and the general public, such a person can also become a candidate."

Chairman Kim added, "There are about ten people in the party who want to run as mayoral candidates. No one can predict who will be chosen among them right now," and "It is too early to make any conclusions at this point."

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