Kim Jong-in: "Yoon Seok-yeol's Presidential Campaign Must Pursue Innovation... Can't Work as a Figurehead"

A New Campaign Committee Must Be Formed to Highlight Political Issues

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Former People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in argued that Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party’s presidential candidate, should pursue ‘innovation’ in his election campaign committee. Kim, who is mentioned as the general campaign committee chairman for Yoon’s camp, denied having demanded ‘full authority,’ but also expressed that conditions must be created to allow him to be active, saying, “I cannot play the role of a figurehead.”

On the 12th, Kim appeared on CBS Radio’s “Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show” and referred to the fact that although Yoon lost in public opinion polls, he was selected as the presidential candidate thanks to winning the party member vote. He said, “I think Yoon Seok-yeol’s campaign needs to make efforts in terms of how much it can attract voters with so-called new innovative ideas,” adding, “If there is no innovation, there is no future.”

Kim stated, “The 2030 generation is currently filled with despair about the future, so if we do not present a vision of how to bring innovation that can give them hope, they will not follow,” and continued, “People think the People Power Party is a party close to vested interests, and regardless of the actual content, they still consider the Democratic Party as a party closer to the common people.” He emphasized, “If you cannot properly read the times, you cannot win the election. You must establish election measures that meet the new expectations of the general public.”

He also stressed the need for personnel reform in the presidential campaign. He said, “Those leading the election should think about how to efficiently gather votes,” and added, “Yoon’s biggest advantage is that he is doing new politics and giving the public the impression that he will renew South Korean politics. Efforts should be made to fully utilize that.”

Kim also emphasized the necessity of election campaigning that can appeal to the moderate voters. He said, “I think about 25% on each side are determined to vote for Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, respectively,” and added, “The 50% in the middle are actually the people who determine the fate of South Korea. What should be done to firmly capture those people?” He continued, “If the person who says he will do new politics, Yoon Seok-yeol, ends up surrounded by past politicians, people cannot help but worry that he will become similar to them.” This means the campaign committee should have a form free from the colors of the established political circles.

He denied media reports that he demanded full authority over the campaign committee. Kim said, “I never said I wanted full authority,” and added, “If I take on responsibility, I only use my wisdom to help achieve the goal.” He also said, “If I think I want a position for myself, I can never cooperate.” However, he expressed that “I cannot play the role of a figurehead,” and said, “If I work, I must push to achieve certain goals,” indicating that conditions for his activities should be provided.

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