Kim Du-kwan: "Lee, a Remarkable Star Emerges in This Presidential Election... Comparable to DJ's Rise in 1971"

"Lee Jae-myung's Leadership Needed to Promote June 1 Local Elections"
Yoon Ho-jung Says "Procedural Issues Are Significant" for Emergency Committee

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Du-kwan urged the appointment of Lee Jae-myung, the party's standing adviser.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Kim Doo-kwan, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea who advocated for the 'Lee Jae-myung Comeback Theory,' praised Lee Jae-myung, the party's senior advisor, saying, "An outstanding star has emerged through this presidential election. Personally, I think it is comparable to the emergence of presidential candidate Kim Dae-jung in 1971."

On the afternoon of the 17th, in an interview with TBS Radio's 'Shin Jang-sik's New Opening,' Kim addressed his call for Lee's early comeback, saying, "I am well aware of how difficult it must be for him after losing the presidential election, and I feel it is truly shameless to ask him this. Nevertheless, I am asking him to try his best for the June 1st 8th simultaneous local elections, which are even more important than the presidential election."

Kim explained, "Although Lee is going through a tough time, I am not asking him to immediately take on the role of emergency committee chairman. We can discuss and invite him around mid-April. I requested this in the hope that he would successfully lead the local elections and, if he wishes, take charge of the party to innovate it and demonstrate leadership that earns the public's trust."

He further emphasized that Lee should step up for the success of the local elections. Kim said, "The metropolitan area is the most important, and Gyeonggi Province, with a population of 13.6 million, is the largest metropolitan local government in our country. Which party's candidate leads Gyeonggi Province is crucial for us, so the local elections are very important. I am asking him to take on the responsibility even if it is difficult."

Regarding the emergency committee led by Yoon Ho-jung, he said, "I have no personal grudge against Floor Leader Yoon Ho-jung, but he bears considerable responsibility for the presidential election defeat and was appointed as the emergency committee chairman. Despite having enough time to analyze the causes of defeat and hold sufficient discussions through the party caucus or regional committee chairpersons' joint meetings before launching the emergency committee, none of these procedures were followed. The procedural issues are very significant."

Kim also stated, "(The Yoon Ho-jung emergency committee) is the result of those who do not want change moving, and that is how I understand it," adding, "Assemblyman Roh Woong-rae also said it is 'a collaboration of factions and hegemony.'"

Regarding the early election of the new floor leader, he said, "The early election on March 25 is probably to boldly pass bills related to prosecutorial reform and media reform. Although all candidates have experience and great abilities, since it is the opposition party's floor leader, I think the person should be someone with fighting spirit."

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