Complex Calculations Between Ruling and Opposition Over 'Kim Kyung-soo Lottery'... Yongsan Says "Already Decided" (Comprehensive)

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo is greeting acquaintances at Incheon Airport on June 14. Kim, who is studying abroad in the UK, briefly returned to attend the memorial service for former President Roh Moo-hyun.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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The calculations between the ruling and opposition parties surrounding the reinstatement of former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo have become complicated, leading to a battle over the truth. Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party, opposed Kim’s reinstatement, while the Presidential Office dismissed it as "the president’s exclusive authority," escalating into a conflict between Yoon and Han. The Presidential Office and the ruling party are now trying to contain the situation by clamping down on statements.

A pro-Han faction official from the People Power Party told Asia Economy on the 12th that the controversy over the Yoon-Han conflict regarding Kim’s reinstatement is "an overinterpretation," adding that "the party was merely conveying public sentiment." The official expressed regret, saying, "The atmosphere was positive due to the financial investment income tax (FIIT), but the party-government atmosphere deteriorated because of Kim’s reinstatement issue," and noted that "Leader Han also did not want the related reports," attempting to manage the aftermath.

When asked whether Leader Han would make a statement if the reinstatement is decided, the response was, "Pardon and reinstatement are the president’s exclusive authority," and "We follow the decision as the president’s prerogative." It is expected that Leader Han will refrain from making additional statements and will observe the results of the Cabinet meeting on the 13th, which will address Kim’s reinstatement.

The official added, "Leader Han was conveying public sentiment, and since reinstatement is the president’s authority, there is nothing more he can do," and "Conveying public sentiment is the party’s role, so it can be seen as fulfilling that function."

People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon is entering the Supreme Council meeting held at the party headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 5th. [Image source=Yonhap News]

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The Presidential Office is closely monitoring the series of events surrounding former Governor Kim’s reinstatement and is clamping down on statements. There is a sense of crisis that if the Yoon-Han conflict reignites, the efforts to foster harmony between the party and government, which have been painstakingly built since the party convention, could be undone in an instant.

In particular, dissatisfaction has reportedly emerged within the Presidential Office and the pro-Yoon faction toward Leader Han, who officially expressed opposition to the reinstatement. A pro-Yoon official said, "At this time, Leader Han should be focusing on internal party unity rather than actions aimed at the upcoming presidential election," adding, "As party leader, he should listen to and coordinate various voices within the ruling party, but it is unpleasant to see him confront President Yoon to highlight himself."

The Presidential Office stated regarding Kim’s reinstatement, "In December 2022, it was decided to pardon the remaining sentence of former Governor Kim," and "This year in April, it was decided to separate the reinstatement so as not to affect the general election." The reinstatement was tentatively decided at the time of the pardon of the remaining sentence, and thus there were no objections to Kim’s reinstatement during this Ministry of Justice pardon review committee, according to the Presidential Office.

The opposition’s movements, concerned about the presence of former Governor Kim?known as "Roh Moo-hyun’s last secretary" and a pro-Moon Jae-in (Pro-Moon) figure?are also significant. With this reinstatement, Kim regains his eligibility to run for office, making it possible for him to run in the 2026 local elections and the 2027 presidential election. This is widely seen as having a direct impact on the opposition landscape and the future presidential race.

Yoon Hee-seok, spokesperson for the People Power Party, appeared on a radio broadcast on the 9th and predicted Kim’s candidacy for the next presidential election, saying, "The pro-Moon and pro-Roh factions will unite around Kim as a rallying point," and "If Representative Cho Kuk faces judicial processing, those votes will likely go entirely to Kim."

On the morning of the 4th, candidate Lee Jae-myung is greeting at the joint speech event for the Democratic Party of Korea's party leader and supreme council member candidates held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center in Seo-gu, Gwangju.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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The truth battle continues over the position of former Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung regarding Kim’s reinstatement. On the 10th, after the Gyeonggi primary of the August 18 party convention held at Bucheon Gymnasium, Lee told reporters, "I have requested reinstatement through various direct and indirect routes to President Yoon." However, a senior ruling party official drew a line, saying, "We have never received such a request from Lee’s side," revealing a difference in stance.

A ruling party official said that it seems true that the Democratic Party mentioned reinstatement to the People Power Party around the time the pardon review committee was held, but "it did not affect the conclusion at all." It is interpreted that the route through which Lee’s side made the request is unclear, and even if requested, it did not influence the decision.

Former Governor Kim was elected in 2018 during the Moon Jae-in administration and emerged as a potential presidential candidate, but was sentenced to two years in prison for the "Druking comment manipulation" case. He was released in December 2022 through a special pardon while serving his sentence. A ruling party official said, "Since Kim’s return could change the political landscape, the calculations between the ruling and opposition parties regarding his reinstatement are complicated," adding, "Presidential candidates who see him as a potential competitor are reacting sensitively."

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