"Political Activism Continues"... Kim Jaewon Ends His Hiatus

Refraining from Broadcast Appearances for About 2 Months
Maintaining 'Social Distance' from Pastor Jeon Gwang-hoon

Kim Jae-won, a Supreme Council member of the People Power Party who was suspended from party membership for one year due to various controversies, resumed public activities on the 23rd. On that day, he appeared consecutively on two radio shows in the morning, continuing his political remarks. Some within the party expressed discomfort over Kim’s resumption of activities.

Kim appeared on SBS Radio’s ‘Kim Tae-hyun’s Political Show’ in the morning and said, “I believe politics that breaks down cartels and entry barriers remaining throughout society one by one, spreading liberalism and solving these issues, is necessary,” adding, “I plan to continue such political movements.” This appearance was his first since the party’s Ethics Committee disciplinary action on the 10th.

Until now, Kim had voiced conservative opinions on various broadcasts, but after entering the party leadership through the March party convention and causing controversy with far-right remarks, Party Leader Kim Gi-hyeon issued a warning, and he refrained from appearing on broadcasts for the past two months.

Kim Jae-won, Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party (Photo by Yonhap News)

On this day, he mentioned various roles he would play until next year’s parliamentary general election. In particular, Kim said, "I will faithfully fulfill those roles for the victory in the general election," and added, "If given the opportunity, I will run again." Although the one-year suspension from party membership has made it practically difficult for him to receive party nomination for next year’s election, he left open the possibility of running in the election.

However, he flatly rejected the idea of running as an independent. He said, “I have been active in the party for 20 years, and during that time, I was rejected for nomination five times,” adding, “I have never run as an independent.” Kim also said on CBS Radio’s ‘Kim Hyun-jung’s News Show’ that “talking about running as an independent right now is inappropriate,” distancing himself from the idea.

In political circles, there is analysis that Kim is hoping to lower the severity of his disciplinary sanction by asserting election dynamics through his public activities. In fact, on the radio that day, he said, “If circumstances arise, such changes (in disciplinary measures) could happen,” and added, “There is a saying: yesterday is a history, tomorrow is a mystery,” indirectly avoiding a direct answer. Also, regarding Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon and the ‘new party formation rumor,’ he said, “I have never met or contacted Pastor Jeon after worship,” and “I neither want to be involved nor mention it,” distancing himself further.

Regarding Kim’s resumption of activities, Um Kyung-young, director of the Era Spirit Research Institute, said, “If he had accepted the party Ethics Committee’s sanction and done nothing for a year, it would have meant the end of his political career,” adding, “Although he cannot immediately return to the party, he needs to establish his position, so he is likely to appear on broadcasts to continue his political life and attempt to create a space targeting the People Power Party’s support base.” Um also added, “In the past, Kim used provocative expressions, but now he seems to have toned down his rhetoric and will continue to express affection for the party.”

Within the party, there is a negative reaction to Kim’s resumption of activities. A first-term lawmaker of the People Power Party said, “It does not help the party for him to appear on broadcasts and talk about the People Power Party without stepping down from his Supreme Council member position,” and criticized, “Since he received a one-year suspension from party membership, it is currently impossible for him to run in the general election, so talking like that continues to burden the party.” Another first-term lawmaker also pointed out, “Appearing on broadcasts and making such remarks (about the election) and the controversy itself are obstacles to normalizing the Supreme Council and moving forward.”

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