Kim Jong-in, who refused to join Yoon's campaign committee, says "I will return to daily life"

by Park Joonyi

Published 23 Nov.2021 10:04(KST)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jun-yi] Former People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Jong-in has expressed his intention not to practically join the election campaign committee of Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party's presidential candidate.

On the 23rd, Kim met with reporters in front of his office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and when asked, "What do you think about the situation of the People Power Party?" he said, "I no longer want to talk about political matters," adding, "I am now returning to my daily life," drawing a clear line.

When asked, "Have you decided not to join the campaign committee?" he replied, "I have already talked many times about how I view the presidential election under certain circumstances," and added, "If you carefully consider that, you can understand why I made this decision," implying that he has already made up his mind.

Regarding whether he had a phone call with the candidate, he said, "I think there is no need to talk any further," and stated that he did not contact him. Meanwhile, about the appointment of former Liberty Korea Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Kim Byung-joon as the standing campaign committee chairman and other campaign committee formation plans proposed by the candidate, he said, "If the candidate judged it to be the best method, then I accept it as is; what is there to comment on that?"

The day before, Yoon Seok-yeol, the People Power Party presidential candidate, attended the party's Supreme Council meeting and said, "I have continuously reached out to former Chairman Kim, but he asked for a day or two more time," which raised speculation that Kim had refused to join the campaign committee. Earlier that day, Party Leader Lee Jun-seok also held a private meeting with former Chairman Kim, but it was reported that Kim expressed a negative stance on joining.