Tasks await Kim in creating new start for opposition party

Kim Chong-in, a veteran economist and politician, leaves his home in central Seoul, Monday. He has been named by the main opposition United Future Party's new leadership and lawmakers-elect to head the party's emergency reform committee after its crushing defeat in the April 15 general election. Yonhap

By Jung Da-min

The main opposition United Future Party (UFP) decided, last week, to appoint Kim Chong-in, a veteran economist and politician who headed the party's election strategy committee for the April 15 general election campaign, to lead an emergency committee to reform the party.

Kim's appointment has come after many twists and turns as the party members had been split over whether to appoint him as the leader of its emergency committee, raising doubts about his capability and claiming a figure within the party should take the role.

The new leadership of the UFP and new lawmakers-elect have decided to keep him in the position until April next year when by-elections will be held for some big municipalities such as Busan, so he can help the party reform and brace up for the by-elections to avoid repeating its crushing defeat in the general election.

Political watchers said that multiple tasks are awaiting Kim to successfully lead the emergency committee.

Kim is tasked with reforming the party which has sometimes been called an “old boys” club without any real alternative policies to the ruling bloc. He is expected to form a “young” committee by scouting politicians and experts in their 30s and 40s, as he has emphasized the importance of making the generational shift in the conservative camp.

The committee leadership is likely to be comprised of around 10 members including Kim, floor leader Rep. Joo Ho-young and Rep. Lee Jong-bae, the UFP's chief policy maker.

It is also speculated the UFP may change its name, color and logo. Kim had said in an earlier radio interview, “It could be an option for the party to have a new name with which citizens can more closely identify.”

Kim has until April next year, which will be about one year ahead of the 2022 presidential election, to find ― or foster ― a potential presidential candidate from the conservative bloc. He has said some heavyweights of the conservative camp have lost their chances to become presidential contenders and the party would have to field a candidate in their 40s.

Whether his committee will be operated smoothly also remains to be seen. This marks the eighth time for the party to form an emergency committee since 2010. Political watchers said such committees often fail as their leaders are not able to show leadership in “interim” positions before the party selects a “real” new leader.

Also some UFP members remain unhappy over the party's decision, saying that appointing an “outsider” goes against expectations of party members and supporters and implies the party is incapable of overcoming a crisis by itself.

“I do not see it as an ideal situation that an outsider comes to the party and makes major decisions,” Rep. Cho Kyoung-tae said during a radio interview with local broadcaster MBC, Monday. Cho said the party's floor leader Rep. Joo should keep in mind that the decision is yet to be confirmed officially at the meeting of senior members this week. Joo said earlier that “an overwhelming number” of lawmakers-elect voted for the plan of Kim's emergency committee at last week's workshop.

“The decision by lawmakers-elect is important but other party members and supporters are being disappointed by the party's decision which lacks confidence,” Cho said. “Many are pointing out that the party is being irresponsible and is not willing to take responsibility while scouting outsiders in a time of crisis.”