Kim Jong-in: "Once out, I won't return to Yoon Camp... Choosing Lee Camp? Park Yong-jin's wishful thinking"

Kim Jong-in "I don't see a candidate I would prefer"
"Doubtful whether the opposition can form a government smoothly if in power"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Kim Jong-in, former head of the People Power Party’s general election committee, firmly stated on the 21st that there is no possibility of returning to Yoon Seok-yeol’s campaign team. He also denied the possibility of helping Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party presidential candidate, calling it a "wishful thinking."

On the same day, during an appearance on KBS Radio’s "Choi Kyung-young’s Strong Current Affairs," Kim said regarding the possibility of returning to Yoon’s campaign headquarters, "Once I have left, there is no way I will go back or anything like that."

Regarding the request for "help" from Park Yong-jin, a Democratic Party lawmaker who once served as chief of staff during Kim’s tenure as the Democratic Party’s emergency committee chairman, Kim said, "That was just a personal wish of lawmaker Park," adding, "I am not someone who acts like that."

Kim also gave a character assessment, saying that among the current leading presidential candidates, he does not see anyone with the necessary qualifications. He said, "In my view, there is no candidate who stands out as someone I would really want."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also expressed concerns about the situation after an opposition party regime change. He said, "Considering the seats currently held by the ruling party, one cannot help but worry whether the government formation itself would be easy in the early stages if the so-called opposition party comes to power," adding, "Even if elected, I wonder if the government formation will proceed smoothly." Kim mentioned the necessity of cooperative politics, saying, "There was a precedent when former Prime Minister Ko Gun, the last prime minister under the Kim Young-sam administration, received approval (ministerial nomination rights). We need to think coldly about whether that is the right way."

Kim, who is preparing a book on government formation, said, "The biggest misfortune sprouts from the failure to properly recognize changes in the times," adding, "There are major factors of failure related to managing close aides and issues concerning one’s so-called integrity." He continued, "I always emphasize that candidates who want to become president think during their candidacy period but lack consistency when considering the period after being confirmed as the candidate through primaries and after winning the presidency. Because of this inconsistency, it is hard to find successful examples."

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