Three Questions Regarding the Dismissal of Kim Gi-hyeon and Hong Jun-pyo as Standing Advisors

'President Without Political Power' Sparks Outrage
Kim Praised Jeon Gwang-hoon's 'Isaiah' in the Past
The Lingering Shadow of the 'Taegukgi Budae'

Kim Gi-hyeon, leader of the People Power Party, has drawn attention to the background behind his decision to dismiss Hong Joon-pyo, Mayor of Daegu, from the party's standing advisory position. The decision was a significant one, making it unlikely that it was simply to block attacks aimed at himself. Various speculations are rampant in political circles, ranging from observations that there was a mention from the presidential office regarding Hong's dismissal to theories that Kim was hampered by a past interview about Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon. With no official party disciplinary action against Kim Jae-won, the senior supreme council member who caused controversy with consecutive scandals, and claims that Pastor Jeon's faction actively recruited party members just before the party convention, dark clouds have gathered over the People Power Party's efforts to capture the centrist vote ahead of next year's general election.

① Was there a hint from the presidential office?

On the 9th, Mayor Hong appeared on MBC's '100-Minute Debate' and remarked that "the people elected a president without political skills." During a debate with former Roh Moo-hyun Foundation Chairman Yoo Si-min, he said, "It is nonsense to ask for a seasoned politician to engage in dialogue, debate, and compromise with a politically inexperienced president, bypassing experienced politicians like the three Kims."

Kim Ki-hyun of the People Power Party is talking with participants at the second discussion meeting for "The Future of Working Youth" held on the 13th at a cafe in Guro-gu, Seoul. Youth representatives, officials from the Presidential Office, and youth officers from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups attended the meeting. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Although his comment was intended to urge support rather than slander President Yoon, the use of expressions like "president without political skills" and "novice president" reportedly caused discomfort within the presidential office. While there was no direct statement from the presidential office, political circles believe that this provided Kim with a justification to 'tactfully' dismiss Mayor Hong. Kim and Hong have shown a pattern of constant confrontation.

② Past remarks related to Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon

Kim's past remarks about Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon have resurfaced. In November 2019, at a rally in Gwanghwamun calling for former President Moon Jae-in's resignation, Kim referred to Pastor Jeon as a "prophet like Isaiah." Isaiah is known as a prophet in Judaism. There are claims that the reason Kim Jae-won has not been disciplined is due to Kim's own past statements.

Former party leader Lee Jun-seok pointed out in an MBC radio interview on the 14th, "Kim Gi-hyeon is the one who called Pastor Jeon a prophet like Isaiah," adding, "If Kim Jae-won is disciplined, then Kim Gi-hyeon would also become a subject of controversy." Lee further said, "Probably because of this, if disciplinary action is actually taken, it would be a situation where they would be grabbing each other's collars."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

③ Did the Taegeukgi faction sweep the party convention?

As the disciplinary action against Kim Jae-won seemed to be quietly overlooked, speculation arose that not only Kim Jae-won but also Kim Gi-hyeon received support from party members affiliated with Pastor Jeon's faction during this party convention. The background behind Kim Jae-won's repeated far-right remarks is interpreted as being due to many party members recommended by Pastor Jeon voting for him in this convention. In fact, a week before the convention, on the 1st of last month, Kim Jae-won targeted the votes of Pastor Jeon's faction by saying at a Gwanghwamun rally, "If I become a supreme council member, I will serve Pastor Jeon well and go together." The question is whether Kim Gi-hyeon can be free from this as well. A political insider said, "Even now, the number of people protesting in Gwanghwamun is considerable."

There are also claims that Pastor Jeon helped by disparaging other candidates during the party convention. Former Liberty Korea Party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn said in a YTN radio interview the day before, "(Pastor Jeon) said I received 5 billion won during the last nomination process. It's nonsense," adding, "Because I ran for party leader, he tried to influence it." Hwang said, "He started talking about it 7-8 days before the election while I was fine. Isn't it too transparent?" Hwang has filed a complaint against Pastor Jeon for defamation by false information.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The aftershocks of Mayor Hong's dismissal are expected to continue inside and outside the party. People Power Party lawmaker Kim Woong wrote on Facebook, "Is it okay for (Kim Jae-won) to make rude remarks but not tolerate (Mayor Hong's) harsh criticism? Are they telling us to make rude remarks instead?" Cheon Ha-ram, former chairman of the Suncheon Gap district party committee in Jeollanam-do, criticized, "If they push out supporters of Lee Jun-seok, Na Kyung-won, Yoo Seung-min, Ahn Cheol-soo, and now even Hong Joon-pyo, how will our party's approval rating survive?" and questioned, "Is Kim's 'Yeonpotang' (solidarity, inclusion, reconciliation) actually 'Yeondae Pogitang' (giving up solidarity)?".

The party's approval rating has also continued to decline. According to a public opinion poll conducted by Gallup Korea from the 11th to the 13th, surveying 1,002 people nationwide aged 18 and over (with a margin of error of ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level), the People Power Party's approval rating dropped to 31%, declining for four consecutive weeks. President Yoon's approval rating also fell to the 20% range for the first time in five months. (For detailed information, refer to the Gallup Korea website or the Central Election Poll Deliberation Commission website.)

Former lawmaker Yoon Hee-sook said in a CBS radio interview, "(Mayor Hong) crossed the line a bit. There was some sarcasm," but added, "It's unfortunate, but the party leader should endure such sarcasm, and dismissing him from the standing advisory position in this way gives supporters a great sense of crisis. It feels like 'this is an old-fashioned party.'"

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