[Interview] Kim Gi-hyeon: "Democratic Party Will Ultimately Repeat Its Own Demise Declaration"

"Democratic Party Walks the Path of Ruin Without Learning from Others"
Plans to Challenge Next Party Leadership and Lead Victory in General Election

Kim Ki-hyun, floor leader of the People Power Party, is attending the floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 3rd and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Naju-seok and Park Joon-yi] Former People Power Party floor leader Kim Ki-hyun criticized the Democratic Party's legislative push for "Geomsu Wanbak" (complete removal of prosecutorial investigation rights), saying, "They are heading down a path of self-destruction," and "The Democratic Party will ultimately repeat the act of declaring itself a ruined faction."

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 22nd, former floor leader Kim pointed out, "The Democratic Party's symbolic assets were its history of democratization struggles and morality, but now the perception has grown that they are no longer moral and are living off their student-era democratization activism for life." He added, "If the Democratic Party declares itself a ruined faction this time, recovery will be difficult."

Kim expressed concern, saying, "At the end of the Park Geun-hye administration, the emergence of 'Jinbak' (true pro-Park) identifiers during the general election led not only to election failure but also to the collapse of the conservative forces along with impeachment. The Democratic Party is not learning from this as a negative example and is heading down a path of destruction."

Kim, who resigned early before the end of his term after the presidential election, evaluated that the new floor leadership can now respond to the Democratic Party's attempt to pass the Geomsu Wanbak bill. He said, "If I had completed my term, now would be the time for leadership change in the floor leadership," adding, "There was a possibility of failure in setting the party line and persuading the public."

He also revealed plans to challenge for party leadership in the future and lead the party to victory in the 2024 general election. Kim said, "For now, we endure with hope looking toward the general election two years away, but if we fail to win again, there is a high possibility of becoming a 'plant government' (a government in name only)." He continued, "No matter how difficult the party's situation, I have stayed without leaving, enduring hardships and protecting the party. I suffered damage on the front lines from the Moon Jae-in Democratic Party administration but fought back and restored it. In that sense, I believe responsibility will be given to me in the next election."

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