Kang Seung-woo is the Business Desk editor at The Korea Times. Prior to this position, he covered politics, national affairs, finance and sports.
'Kim Chong-in effect likely to be limited'
Kim Chong-in, the chief of the United Future Party's campaign committee, speaks during a press conference at the National Assembly in Seoul, Sunday. / Korea Times photo by Bae Woo-han
By Kang Seung-woo
By Kang Seung-woo
Kim Chong-in, a veteran politician who helped President Moon Jae-in and his predecessor Park Geun-hye win presidential elections, has returned to politics again ahead of the upcoming general election, looking to rediscover his winning touch with the main opposition United Future Party (UFP).
However, it remains to be seen if the 79-year-old and the newly created conservative party will end the April election on a winning note during a situation that is unfavorable to him in many ways, according to critics.
Kim decided to join the UFP as head of its campaign committee last week after party leader Hwang Kyo-ahn's repeated requests.
“As I played a part in Park and Moon winning their elections, I feel sorry about that,” Kim said in a press conference at the National Assembly, Sunday, indicating that both did not govern the country as he expected.
“For that reason, I decided to accept the UFP's request to join it, and to judge the Moon administration. As the chief of the campaign committee, I will try my best to help the party win in the elections.”
A former economist who has long promoted “economic democracy,” Kim has apparently decided to attack the Moon government's economic policies. At the press conference, he proposed a 100 trillion won ($81.7 billion) budget reallocation to those suffering from the COVID-19 pandemic, while criticizing current policy.
However, many say the timing of his assuming the position may not be enough for Kim to do something appealing and palatable to voters.
Although he is leading the party's campaign, he only has 16 days before the election. In addition, the UFP has already completed its candidate nomination process, meaning he has little room to exert his influence within the party.
His past career of moving back and forth between liberal and conservative blocs is another hindrance as it does not give a fresh image to voters who want new figures that will change conventional politics.
“The effect of recruiting Kim will be negative,” Rep. Lee Sang-don of the minor opposition Minsaeng Party told a recent radio interview. Lee and Kim jointly helped the Saenuri Party in the 2012 general election. The Saenuri Party is the most recent predecessor of the UFP.
“There is no justification for Hwang to recruit Kim. Other than disliking President Moon, they have nothing in common between them and it is unlikely to help the UFP in the elections.”
He added: “Failing to pick a figure to lead its campaign committee among party members and bringing in the man who helped the rival party in the presidential election is pathetic.”
In addition, although Kim may come up with economic policies, it will not be easy to draw attention amid the coronavirus crisis. In addition, some raise issue with his age.
Regarding the UFP's campaign catchphrase of “We can't live like this; Let's change,” Rep. Choi Jae-sung of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea said in a radio interview, “It is a slogan used during the era of the Liberty Party (in the 1960s). Now is not the time for a politician who doesn't understand the Fourth Industrial Revolution and cannot carry out economic policies to step forward.”