Kim Jong-in: "Yoon-Ahn Unification Negotiations Already Ended... Yoon's 'It Will Go As Is' Delusion"

"There's no time for unification, and negotiation is impossible"
"If Lee Jae-myung's integrated government theory is sincere, it is good for the country's future"

Kim Jong-in, who announced his intention to resign as the General Election Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is arriving at his office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 5th. Photo by National Assembly Press Photographers Group

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Kim Jong-in, former head of the People Power Party's general election committee, commented on the 24th that the unification negotiations between Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate, and Ahn Cheol-soo, the People's Party presidential candidate, are "already concluded." Kim also drew attention by praising Lee Jae-myung, the Democratic Party of Korea's presidential candidate, for his proposal of a unified government.

Appearing on CBS's Kim Hyun-jung's News Show, Kim said, "If you carefully observe Ahn candidate's unification statement and read between the lines, I believe the unification is already over," adding, "I think further unification will be difficult to achieve." He also stated, "After the unification was decided, there have been reports of meetings and negotiations between various parties, but I do not consider these to be official negotiations."

Regarding the unification, he also interpreted that Yoon did not accept the offer. Kim said, "When Yoon candidate did not accept Ahn candidate's offer, it was because he was confident that he could proceed as is," adding, "Yoon is leading in the polls, so what would he be afraid of not accepting it? He should have accepted it." Kim defined this judgment as a 'misconception.' He recalled the 2002 presidential election, saying, "Didn't people say that Lee Hoi-chang, the Grand National Party's presidential candidate, was almost certain to win?" and added, "In the end, he lost to Roh Moo-hyun, so those analyzing election trends should read this with a sober perspective."

He also expressed the view that there is no more time left for a poll-based unification. Kim said, "It is impossible to conduct a unification poll within the remaining two weeks of the presidential election," and added, "I also think it is impossible to unify through a final negotiation."

Regarding Lee's emphasis on the unified government proposal, Kim praised it on the premise of 'truth.' He said, "Lee proposed the idea of a unified government and declared that if he becomes president, he will form a coalition with all political factions to solve national issues. I think the Democratic Party has probably set its direction accordingly," adding, "If that is true, I believe it is a good thing for the country's future."

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