Kim Sang-wook: "Even with 19% Approval Rating, Mainstream of Gukhim is on 'Vacation'... Faces Look Happier"

[Financial News]  After leaving the People Power Party last May and joining the Democratic Party of Korea, Assemblyman Kim Sang-wook recently commented on the People Power Party's approval rating plummeting to the 10% range, saying that the mainstream of the party does not care.

Assemblyman Kim appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the 11th and commented on the NBS (National Barometer Survey) public opinion poll released the previous day, which showed the People Power Party's approval rating at 19%, saying, "(This result) is partly because the People Power Party is not doing well, but also because President Lee Jae-myung is doing well," emphasizing that "even those who supported the People Power Party in Daegu and Gyeongbuk are moving, saying 'President Lee Jae-myung is doing well?' which is the fundamental reason."

Assemblyman Kim said about the possibility of the People Power Party's approval rating rebounding, "It depends on how much better the Democratic Party does and whether the People Power Party innovates," adding, "I dare say that innovation is impossible for the People Power Party. The mainstream forces of the People Power Party do not care about (approval ratings)."

Assemblyman Kim said, "The People Power Party lawmakers think they still hold onto TK (Daegu and Gyeongbuk) and PK (Busan and Gyeongnam) in local elections, and public opinion changes anyway, and they believe everything will recover in three years," adding, "If they just criticize the Democratic Party while diligently consolidating their regions, the day will come when the people dislike the Democratic Party again, and they only need to get nominated."

He continued, "These days, People Power Party lawmakers are not often seen in the National Assembly. They are busy consolidating their constituencies and attending local events," adding, "Many are spending their time leisurely, so their expressions are not that bad. Some even look healthier and happier. That's why I used the term vacation."

Assemblyman Kim mentioned that the People Power Party figures he referred to are so-called 'Under Jinyun'. Under Jinyun refers to the real pro-Yun (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) faction exerting influence below the surface.

Regarding Under Jinyun, Assemblyman Kim criticized, "They strongly believe that as long as they don't lose their power and relationships as the king of the region, it's fine," adding, "That group blocked the president's eyes and ears and took various benefits behind the scenes. Also, since they remain below the surface, they have no reason to get hurt. They only enjoy rights and power without taking any responsibility."

Regarding the newly launched People Power Party's Yoon Hee-sook Innovation Committee, he said, "(Innovation) will not happen," adding, "There is no will for personnel cleanup. Does Yoon Hee-sook, the chairman of the Innovation Committee, have any support base? Has any authority been granted? Also, she has no experience in doing such things herself."

Assemblyman Kim said, "TK, PK lawmakers basically think, 'What did we do wrong?'" adding, "'Even in this difficult situation, we have won, and the target of innovation is the People Power Party figures in Seoul and the metropolitan area who always lose.' So how can innovation happen?"

The NBS public opinion poll mentioned by Assemblyman Kim was conducted from the 7th to the 9th, targeting 1,003 adult men and women aged 18 and over, using a 100% wireless telephone interview method. The response rate was 19.9%, and the sampling error was ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level. For more details, refer to the website of the Central Election Survey Deliberation Commission.


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon reporter