Kim Jong-in's Growing Influence Inside and Outside the Opposition Party: Will He Become a Factor in the Party Convention and Presidential Election?

Geum Tae-seop, Won Hee-ryong, Kim Woong: From 'Advisor' Roles to 'Candid Criticism'
Will They Emerge as Core Pillars of the 'Opposition Big Tent' Including Yoon Seok-yeol?

Former Kim Jong-in, Emergency Committee Chairman of the People Power Party [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in, who left the People Power Party, has emerged as a key variable within the party as he continues to expand his influence both inside and outside the party. Especially with next year's presidential election approaching, there is speculation that he may build a 'big tent' for the opposition by broadening his reach across the political spectrum.

Since leaving the People Power Party on the 8th of last month, Kim has firmly stated that he would no longer engage in political activities, but in reality, he has established himself as a 'political advisor' to opposition figures. On the morning of the 16th of last month, former lawmaker Geum Tae-seop sought advice from Kim regarding political direction during a meeting, and on the 27th, Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong, considered a presidential contender within the party, also met with Kim in Jeju to ask for his political insights about the party and himself. Additionally, on the morning of the 7th, Kim reportedly met with lawmaker Kim Woong, a candidate for party leadership, advising him to "fight hard," thus providing direction.

Notably, these meetings were arranged through Kim's proactive initiative. During the breakfast meeting with former lawmaker Geum, Kim reportedly proposed the meeting by saying, "I met because I wanted to thank you for helping us in the last election." The meetings with Governor Won and lawmaker Kim were also arranged after Kim communicated the dates. Furthermore, since his resignation, Kim has consistently voiced criticism toward the party through the media, increasing his presence despite having left the party.

Rep. Kim Woong after visiting former emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in [Image source=Yonhap News]

In fact, Kim's influence within the party is becoming even stronger. There are still voices within the party insisting that Kim must return for the party's victory. In particular, lawmaker Kim Woong appeared on CBS Radio's Kim Hyun-jung's News Show on the 4th and promised, "If I become party leader, I will definitely bring him back." However, on the 6th, in an SBS broadcast of 'Joo Young-jin's News Briefing,' when asked about Kim's possible return to the People Power Party, he dismissed it by saying, "I judged that I absolutely could not be there myself, so I stepped out."

This is also seen as laying the groundwork for next year's presidential election. Having made it clear that he will never return to the People Power Party, there is a possibility that Kim will contribute to building a 'third zone' including the leading presidential candidate, former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl. In fact, there are reports that he is expanding his reach by contacting political figures both inside and outside the party. A political insider stated, "Kim has been steadily contacting political figures since his resignation."

Kim is keeping the possibility of an alliance with former Prosecutor General Yoon open. In an SBS interview on the 6th, he was blunt about the possibility of returning to politics but gave an ambiguous answer regarding whether he would assist Yoon, saying, "Since it is a matter of the future, I do not need to respond to that." Some media outlets reported that he had planned but postponed a meeting with Yoon last month.

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