Kim Gi-hyun, Who Declined Cheongwadae Lunch, Says "Meeting Alone Has No Meaning"

The Next Leadership Negotiation Task is 'Vaccine'... Negative Views on '100% Public Opinion Survey' Rule for the Party Convention

Kim Ki-hyun, the newly appointed floor leader of the People Power Party, is holding a meeting with reporters at the National Assembly on the 2nd. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Kim Ki-hyun, the newly appointed floor leader of the People Power Party, revealed that he declined the Blue House's lunch proposal, stating that prior coordination is necessary. He also emphasized that the top priority negotiation task for the next leadership is the 'COVID-19 vaccine issue' and pledged to make every effort at the National Assembly level, including joint delegations.

At a press briefing with reporters on the afternoon of the 2nd, Kim was asked, "Did you decline the Blue House's lunch proposal?" to which he replied, "I politely asked for understanding." According to a TV Chosun report earlier that day, on the 1st, Lee Cheol-hee, the Blue House political secretary, proposed a lunch with President Moon Jae-in, but Kim reportedly declined.

Regarding this, Kim explained, "I will meet and talk with the president anytime, and if necessary, I think we can talk every day," adding, "However, just meeting without any prior conditions is meaningless," and "I conveyed that it would be better to meet after some prior premises are coordinated."

On the same day, Kim identified the COVID-19 vaccine issue as the top priority for negotiations with the ruling party under the next leadership. He criticized, "The government and ruling party are hiding the fact that they are not properly resolving the vaccine issue," and pointed out, "There is no plan regarding when and how much vaccine can be secured, when vaccinations will end, and when economic activities and daily life can be freely resumed."

He continued, "Negotiations with the United States must begin immediately," criticizing, "The current administration's relationship with the U.S. has deteriorated to the point where one might suspect it is in a confrontational phase." He added, "Our opposition party has an intermediary role to play. We will do everything possible at the National Assembly level, including dialogues to procure vaccines and joint delegations."

Regarding the rules for the upcoming party leadership election, he expressed opposition to the idea of "100% general public polling." He stated firmly, "Although there is a claim for 100% general public polling, since it is about electing the party leader, a structure that does not reflect the will of party members is fundamentally impossible." However, he refrained from elaborating, saying, "If I speak about the specific details I have in mind in advance, it may cause unnecessary disputes."

On the formation of the party convention preparation committee, he said, "We must elect the party leader through normal procedures as soon as possible," and added, "I think the party convention schedule could be in early next month."

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