Kim Jong-in to Ahn Cheol-soo: "You Must Be Honest... You Shouldn't Demand 'Unification Under Me'"

"Mentality that he is the only opposition candidate... Politically nonsensical"
"Oh Se-hoon's conditional candidacy, hard to accept rationale... Only disadvantages himself"
"Two weeks into the new year and already supplementary budget? No ability to predict the future?"
"Yoon Seok-yeol will show a moment of brilliance... Could also run as ruling party presidential candidate"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, criticized Ahn Cheol-soo, leader of the People Party, on the 12th, saying, "If you want to unify, you have to be honest," and "You should not demand 'unification around me.'"

In an interview with CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the same day, Chairman Kim said, "I have no objection to opposition unification, but (success) depends on how the unification is done."

He said, "When Ahn declared his candidacy, didn't he say he would run as the unified opposition candidate? No one made him the unified candidate, but he said he was the unified candidate himself," adding, "Mentally, he thinks he is the only unified opposition candidate." He added, "From a political common sense perspective, that is nonsense."

Regarding Ahn currently leading in support rates as the opposition candidate for Seoul mayor, Kim said, "If you analyze Ahn's support in detail, it is not very meaningful," adding, "There are People Power Party supporters, but also Democratic Party supporters." On the possibility of a three-way race, he said, "We are trying to unify, but if unification is not possible, then it cannot be done," emphasizing, "The People Power Party is different from the party during the last general election. Based on the changes we have, if we go until April, we are confident we will win."

Regarding former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon's conditional candidacy declaration that he would run if Ahn does not join or merge, Kim criticized, "It was a nonsensical candidacy declaration," adding, "If a politician sets such an unconvincing reason, it is never advantageous but only disadvantageous to himself."

On President Moon Jae-in's New Year's address the day before, Kim said, "It is a hasty judgment to say our economy can reach pre-COVID levels in the first half of this year," adding, "It can be said as a hope, but if you look at reality coldly, it is not that easy."

Regarding the first apology on real estate, he said, "They said they would increase supply measures, but in the past, haven't they said they would increase supply? There is no specific content on how to increase it," emphasizing, "We need to fundamentally change our perspective on housing policy."

On the absence of pardon mention in President Moon's New Year's address, Kim said, "I think it is not something that must be mentioned in the New Year's address," adding, "If the president decides, he can just do it without prior notice." He continued, "I think he will do it at some point for his own purpose," and regarding the ruling party's claim that 'there must be apology and reflection,' he said, "Considering the various hopes of our people so far, I think they have the willingness to forgive."

Regarding the ruling party's talk of a 4th disaster relief fund, Kim said, "It has been less than two weeks since this year started, and already talking about supplementary budget for the 4th disaster relief fund means this government admits it has no ability to predict the future," adding, "It is good to provide support if the situation arises, but I do not agree with providing it to all citizens."

Kim said, "President Moon said in the New Year's address that we can recover to pre-COVID conditions in the first half of this year, and the ruling party talks about the 4th relief fund. Because of these contradictory statements, policies cannot get on the right track," and when asked if it is for election purposes, he added, "That intention is not absent."

Regarding his actions after the April by-election, he said, "I will disappear once the election is over," adding, "(Even if there is talk to lead once more as party leader) I have no desire to do it. It is not very attractive."

On the possibility of Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl running as a presidential candidate, Kim said, "One thing I want to say is that a person's moment of destiny comes only once. Probably now, Prosecutor General Yoon sees that moment," adding, "If he grasps that moment well, he can become a wise man and contribute greatly to the country, but if he does not, it will be ruined."

Kim said he sees Yoon possibly becoming the ruling party's presidential candidate. He said, "There are many talks, but Yoon is in the midst of internal conflicts within the ruling party, and you cannot think of him as an opposition person. If the ruling party cannot find a suitable person, he might do it," adding, "Politics can suddenly change like that."

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