Lee Jun-seok on Failed Recruitment of Kim Jong-in: "A Cow You Can't Buy Even with Money"

Concerns Over Kim Byung-joon's "Lack of Combat Command Experience"

Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, attended the Central Presidential Election Countermeasures Committee meeting held at the National Assembly on the 29th and is seen yielding his speaking turn to Kim Byung-joon, the Standing Election Countermeasures Committee Chairman. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Seohyun] On the 29th, Lee Jun-seok, leader of the People Power Party, commented on the difficulty of former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in joining as the overall election committee chairman, saying, "The process of recruiting former Chairman Kim always feels like those trying to recruit him have to try something first, and only at the next stage do they gain realization."

On the same day, appearing on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' Lee referred to former Chairman Kim as "a cow that cannot be bought with money," adding, "Now, to recruit former Chairman Kim, you have to offer not just a high price but everything on top of that." He continued, "It's not about the price but about showing proper respect," and added, "You have to add all the premiums. You have to give him full authority."

He mentioned past incidents during the recruitment of former Chairman Kim, explaining, "Initially, when the situation is good, people who say 'we can win without Kim Jong-in' start sticking close to the candidate, gradually leading to conflicts over territory with former Chairman Kim. Later, when the approval ratings seem to drop, the candidate or leader ends up humbling themselves and bringing former Chairman Kim on board."

He continued, "The reason this unfortunate cycle repeats is because of the grip former Chairman Kim has," and said, "Since former Chairman Kim has many organizational and demand requirements to actually work, those supporting the candidate often feel, 'I wish he would just come and lend his name without trying to do so much.'"

He added, "In an election, there must be commanders for each area," and explained, "There needs to be someone handling internal affairs so that those fighting outside can perform well, but I cannot do both simultaneously. In such a situation, former Emergency Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in has to take charge of one of the two areas."

He further stated, "I believe former Chairman Kim's space will expand in a close contest."

Regarding Kim Byung-joon, co-chairman of the joint standing election committee who is leading the one-top system, he said, "I am only expecting him to demonstrate great capabilities," but added, "(Kim Byung-joon) does not have a track record of combat command ability, so that part is concerning."

Meanwhile, on criticisms of the 'Yoon Seok-yeol election committee' appointments, he said, "Ultimately, the candidate takes all the authority in appointments, and the candidate's grand strategy seems to be great unity or just using everyone," adding, "Former Chairman Kim warned that this is not right, but I don't know. Since the concept itself was set that way, such issues may occur more."

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