With Kim Kyung-yul "The public sentiment is frightening... Ultimately a matter of communication"

Not a Matter of Distinguishing Responsibility Between the Party and the Presidential Office
"I am also Not Free from Responsibility"

Kim Kyung-yul, a member of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee, reacted to the results of the exit polls from the three major terrestrial broadcasters for the 22nd general election, which showed a crushing defeat for the ruling party, saying "public sentiment is frightening."

People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Member Kim Kyung-yul
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the afternoon of the 10th, Kim met with reporters at the underground auditorium of the National Assembly Library in Yeouido, Seoul, and said, "Even if we win all the competitive districts, it seems impossible to secure the veto line for constitutional amendment," adding, "I said it was scary during the election, but (public sentiment) is truly frightening." He also added, "Personally, I never thought we would fall below the constitutional amendment veto line."

Kim emphasized that it is not the time to distinguish responsibility for the defeat between the party and the government. He said, "I don't think it's a matter of separating the party and the presidential office," and added, "We need to consider what judgment the people have made, and they did not distinguish between the presidential office and the party."

However, he analyzed that communication problems between the party and the government hindered the general election. Kim said, "In the end, it all comes down to communication issues," and added, "Whenever I spoke, everyone was scared and intimidated." He also stated, "I do not think I am free from responsibility," but revealed, "In the past week or ten days, there have been continuous attacks against me and Chairman Han."

Furthermore, he interpreted that the ruling party's judgment issue was overshadowed by controversies such as the verbal misconduct of Kim Jun-hyuk, the Democratic Party candidate for Suwon City Mayor, and the irregular loan controversy involving Yang Moon-seok, the Democratic Party candidate for Ansan City Gap district. Kim said, "I saw candidates Kim and Yang as a kind of barometer," and added, "For the public, there was something that covered up candidates Kim and Yang."

Kim predicted that both he and Han Dong-hoon, chairman of the People Power Party's Emergency Response Committee, would take responsibility for the defeat. Kim said, "I think it is premature, but anyway, (Chairman Han) must take responsibility," and added, "I am not free from it either." He also explained, "Resigning as an emergency committee member could be irresponsible in some ways," but said, "If resigning is the most realistic option, then I should resign anytime."

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