Repeated Mistakes by Yeo's Top Officials... Trying to Impress Hardline Supporters?

Concerns Over 'General Election Setbacks' Targeting Kim Jaewon and Tae Youngho
May Be an Election Strategy Aimed at Hardline Supporters Within the Party

Repeated mistakes by the top executives of the People Power Party have raised concerns about negative impacts on next year's general election. Critics point out that a member of the leadership is causing confusion within the party.

However, there is also analysis that the remarks made by Supreme Councilors Kim Jaewon and Tae Youngho are not slips of the tongue but rather sophisticated political strategies. The strategy is to secure far-right supporters ahead of the general election to boost their standing.

Kim, who sparked numerous controversies, eventually entered a month-long period of self-reflection. Previously, he drew criticism for remarks made at a worship service led by Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church, stating that "the spirit of the May 18 Democratic Uprising cannot be included in the Constitution." Later, at a lecture in the United States, he praised Pastor Jeon as "the one who unified the right-wing camp."

As criticism grew, Kim expressed his intention to apologize but once again became the center of controversy. On the 4th, Kim appeared on KBS Radio's "Choi Kyung-young's Strong Current Affairs" and said, "The president usually attends events like the March 1st Movement Day and Liberation Day, but the April 3rd Commemoration Day is a memorial or remembrance day of slightly lower status." Although this was meant to defend President Yoon's absence from the April 3rd memorial ceremony, many criticized it as inappropriate to rank the significance of a day commemorating victims.

Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party (left), and Tae Young-ho, Supreme Council Member.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Supreme Councilor Tae, who raised the "April 3 Incident as a Kim Il-sung conspiracy" claim, remains steadfast in his position despite ongoing criticism.

On the 3rd, despite demands for apologies from opposition parties, bereaved families, and Jeju residents, Tae stated, "I do not know what I should apologize for," effectively indicating no intention to apologize. He also said, "I do not understand what I should apologize for. I have never mocked or disparaged any specific individuals."

Within the party, there are concerns that the repeated controversies involving members of the leadership could negatively affect next year's general election. This seems to contradict the stance of party leader Kim Ki-hyun, who is calling for "Yeonpotang" (solidarity, inclusion, and balance) and expanding the party's outreach.

However, some view the actions of the two Supreme Councilors as part of an election strategy. For individual politicians, it can be an opportunity to demonstrate their presence among hardline supporters.

A representative example is Gangwon Province Governor Kim Jin-tae, who faced difficulties due to his disparaging remarks about the May 18 Democratic Uprising. Kim ran as a candidate in the People Power Party leadership election held in February 2019, ahead of the 2020 general election.

Other candidates for party leader included former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Although Kim was an outsider and political newcomer, many predicted that Hwang, who served as Minister of Justice, Prime Minister, and Acting President during the Park Geun-hye administration, would win.

The final result was as expected. In the party leadership election, Hwang won with 50.0% (68,713 votes) and was elected as the new party leader.

What stood out was that Kim secured 18.9% (25,924 votes) of the support despite competing against two major presidential hopefuls. Kim's support base was mainly composed of hardline conservative supporters. Although the controversy over his May 18 remarks may have left a negative impression on the general public, within the party, it was seen as having reinforced his image as a staunch conservative.

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