Yoon Seok-yeol Builds '3 Kim Campaign Committee'... General Kim Jong-in, Standing Kim Byung-joon, New Era Preparation Committee Kim Han-gil (Comprehensive)

Yoon Seok-yeol and Kim Jong-in Announce Appointments After Previous Day's Agreement
Co-Executive Committee Chairs and Headquarters Chiefs to Be Announced

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Yoon Seok-yeol, the presidential candidate of the People Power Party, announced that he will appoint Kim Jong-in, former emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, as the overall election committee chairman, and Kim Byung-joon, former emergency committee chairman of the Liberty Korea Party, as the standing election committee chairman. Kim Han-gil, former leader of the New Politics Alliance for Democracy, will form the 'New Era Preparation Committee' aimed at centrist expansion and join as its chairman.

On the 21st, after meeting Kim at the latter’s office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Yoon told reporters, "Kim Jong-in will take the role of overall election committee chairman, and Kim Byung-joon along with party leader Lee Jun-seok will serve as standing election committee chairmen," adding, "Co-chairmen and department heads will be announced soon."

He also shared the news of Kim Han-gil’s joining. Yoon said, "Kim Han-gil will organize the New Era Preparation Committee to work together for regime change," and added, "We will closely consult with Kim Han-gil on the specific organization and personnel of the New Era Preparation Committee going forward."

The New Era Preparation Committee is planned to be formed with the intention of attracting votes from centrists and progressives. He explained, "In achieving regime change, we will promote unity between youth and middle-aged groups, harmony among regions, and at the same time, create a platform where those who desire regime change but are still hesitant to join the People Power Party, including centrists and reasonable progressives, can all come together."

Kim Han-gil also stated, "I will contribute to opening a new era through regime change," and said, "I will work together with those called centrists or reasonable progressives to contribute to regime change. I hope the People Power Party will now advance fearlessly toward the center like Mongol cavalry."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

After his meeting with Kim Han-gil, Yoon explained the specific reasons for these appointments to reporters. Regarding Kim Han-gil’s recruitment, he said, "I repeatedly asked him because I thought he was the right person to embrace centrists and reasonable progressives." About Kim Byung-joon, he said, "He is a leading policy expert in our country, having served former President Roh Moo-hyun and been involved in important national policies throughout his term. Also, since he took charge as emergency committee chairman when our party was in difficulty and worked closely with us, I believe he has the capability to play a major role in pushing for regime change alongside Kim Jong-in."

Previously, Yoon and Kim Jong-in had shown differences over the election committee appointments, but after a private meeting the day before, they agreed on recruiting Kim Byung-joon and Kim Han-gil. When asked if Kim Jong-in was opposed to Kim Han-gil’s recruitment, Yoon replied, "As far as I know, Kim Jong-in, Kim Byung-joon, and Kim Han-gil are all close," adding, "They communicate freely and have that kind of relationship." Regarding reports that Kim Jong-in and Kim Byung-joon do not get along well, he said, "I think as a senior, Kim Jong-in will support well, and if they proceed like this, it should be fine. I believe both of them share that view."

Although he did not specify the exact timing of the first appointment announcement, Yoon implied it would be made soon. Regarding the appointment of co-chairmen, he said, "We will not announce them all at once but will announce each as we bring in people from inside and outside the party as co-chairmen." About the entire election committee, he explained, "The central election committee organization should not become excessively mammoth to the point where work is impossible, so we plan to design the local and central election committee organizations harmoniously."

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