Kim Jong-in on the report of 'Yoon's campaign headquarters final ultimatum'... "They were talking nonsense, so it's good"

Former People Power Party emergency committee chairman Kim Jong-in is leaving his office after meeting with former Presidential Chief of Staff Lim Tae-hee, who visited his office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 25th. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Former People Power Party Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in stated regarding his joining of Yoon Seok-yeol candidate's campaign committee (선대위) that "I have never said I would help from outside."

On the morning of the 25th, Kim met with reporters in front of his office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and said, "They said they gave me an ultimatum, and when I saw that news, I thought 'Good.' It would be good if it ends today," expressing discomfort over an article that morning which stated, "Yoon's side gave Kim an ultimatum that if he does not declare joining the campaign committee by today, it’s over."

When asked if there is a view that there might be another opportunity to join the campaign committee around the weekend, he replied, "If you keep making things up and saying that, it just makes both sides feel bad, so don’t ask such questions," adding, "Yesterday (at the dinner), I stated my position, and since I am no longer stepping back on that, I am just waiting for them to resolve it on their own. I won’t say anything more. I have nothing to say."

Earlier, a media outlet reported based on remarks from a close aide to Yoon that Kim had said at the dinner that he would join unconditionally if his dignity was preserved, so Yoon met with him, but there was no outcome. A close aide to Yoon was reported to have said, "Yoon has shown Kim enough respect. His patience has reached its limit."

Regarding the People Power Party’s Supreme Council launching the campaign committee without the position of overall campaign chairman, Kim said, "That’s their business to handle; I cannot force them." When asked if he is waiting for Yoon’s decision, he said, "Time will solve it, so just watch how time passes," withholding further comment.

Meanwhile, Yoon also remained silent on questions related to Kim’s involvement. After attending the Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly that day, Yoon said regarding Kim Jong-in’s joining the campaign committee, "It would be better if we do not say more about Dr. Kim Jong-in."

Regarding criticism that the campaign committee appointments are being dragged on excessively, Yoon said, "That criticism is valid, and after the party convention, we have done a lot of brainstorming on how to organize the campaign committee," adding, "I can say that policy activities have been gradually underway, and from today, we will start more full-scale activities, so please watch closely."

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