Kim Chongin Says "Yoon Seokyeol Will Not Succeed If He Is Too Attached to People"

Calls for Personnel Reform in the Campaign Committee
Yoon’s Camp: “We Will Pursue Politics of Unity, Not Exclusion”

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy, Reporters Na Juseok and Park Juni] The formation of the People Power Party's election campaign committee is struggling to find its direction, caught at a crossroads between "renewal" and "unity." Kim Chongin, the former emergency committee chairman who is being considered for the position of chief campaign chairman, is calling for personnel reform in the name of innovation. In contrast, Yoon Seokyeol's camp is emphasizing "addition," signaling its determination not to abandon the idea of unity.

On the morning of November 12, Kim said in a radio interview, "If I were to give personal advice to Yoon Seokyeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, I would say that if you are too attached to people, you will not succeed. You need to make cold, rational decisions in order to earn the public's trust." He added, "If you say you want to pursue new politics but end up surrounded by politicians from the past, it is only natural for people to be concerned. You need to recognize that the presidential election will not be a light and easy journey."

The public's attention is focused on whether Kim will join the campaign committee, but he commented on this issue by saying, "I cannot be a mere figurehead." While he denied reports that he had demanded full authority over the committee's formation, he made it clear that he would only participate if the conditions allowed him to exercise his vision.

However, Yoon's camp continues to maintain the position that it is necessary to include and show consideration for the existing figures who have been with them throughout the primary process. Kim Byungmin, spokesperson for the People Power Party's election committee, said, "We will strive for a politics of unity and addition, not a politics of exclusion and subtraction." This is interpreted as an intention to bring in as many people as possible, including those from the original campaign team.

Amidst this confusion, there are ongoing mixed predictions regarding the committee's appointments. It is reported that both a "one-top system" led by Kim and a "two-top system" involving former emergency committee chairman Kim Byungjun are being discussed. Political circles are also paying close attention to the fate of the campaign staff that Kim previously referred to as a "swarm of flies."

The committee appointments are expected to proceed rapidly around this weekend. This is because a decision on whether Kim will join must be made before November 20, the originally scheduled launch date of the committee.

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