{"id":2204135,"date":"2024-03-07T21:25:30","date_gmt":"2024-03-07T12:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2204135"},"modified":"2024-03-15T13:10:43","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T04:10:43","slug":"korea-insider-kim-chong-in-the-kingmaker-failed-dreams-of-economic-democracy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/03\/korea-insider-kim-chong-in-the-kingmaker-failed-dreams-of-economic-democracy\/","title":{"rendered":"Kim Chong-in the ‘Kingmaker,’ failed dreams of economic democracy"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a political career spanning over four decades, Kim Chong-in has been a pivotal figure in South Korean politics \u2014 from the authoritarian era to the present day. His recent alliance with Lee Jun-seok, a former leader of the ruling People Power Party, has once again thrust him into the spotlight.<\/p>\n

At 83, Kim Chong-in joined<\/a> Lee Jun-seok\u2019s newly formed minor party, the New Reform Party <\/a>(NRP), as the chairman of the general election candidacy nomination committee. This role places him at the helm of the party\u2019s electoral decision-making process.<\/p>\n

Although Kim has served as a five-term lawmaker in the National Assembly, his influence extends far beyond his legislative duties. Since 1981, he has held key positions in various political parties, some of which have merged or evolved over time.<\/p>\n

Kim\u2019s political journey began when he became<\/a> a proportional representation member of the National Assembly with the Democratic Justice Party. During this period, he served as an economic advisor to the party\u2019s leader, Roh Tae-woo. Kim emphasized the importance of implementing preventive measures to mitigate the negative<\/a> consequences of South Korea\u2019s rapid economic growth.<\/p>\n

When Roh was elected president, Kim assumed the role of chief presidential secretary<\/a> for economic affairs. In this capacity, he championed economic democratization and advocated for stricter<\/a> regulations<\/a> on conglomerates\u2019 real estate speculation.<\/p>\n

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Kim Chong-in endorsing Yoon Suk-yeol at an inauguration event of the People Power Party’s presidential election committee | Image: People Power Party<\/a> (Dec. 6, 2021)<\/p><\/div>\n

KINGMAKER<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kim\u2019s nickname, \u201ckingmaker<\/a>,\u201d stems from his role<\/a> in shaping<\/a> the strategies of three politicians who later became presidents of South Korea.<\/p>\n

As an elder statesman figure in Yeouido since 2012, he spearheaded the nomination process and crafted strategies for the Saenuri Party, then led by Park Geun-hye. His efforts to reverse<\/a> the party\u2019s waning popularity by portraying<\/a> Park as a leader distinct<\/a> from her predecessor, Lee Myung-bak, in terms of regulating conglomerates, became a defining aspect of her successful presidential election campaign.<\/p>\n

However, when conservatives within the party failed<\/a> to follow<\/a> through on his call for economic democratization, he defected<\/a> to the rival Democratic Party (DP). As the head of the DP\u2019s nomination committee, Kim set the stage for Moon Jae-in\u2019s presidential victory in 2017. During this period<\/a>, he also briefly advised<\/a> Ahn Cheol-soo, another presidential contender, but their alliance was short-lived.<\/p>\n

In the wake of an electoral defeat in 2020, Kim assumed leadership of the emergency committee for the United Future Party<\/a>, aiming to help the conservatives regroup and rebuild. The party, which later rebranded itself as the People Power Party (PPP), retained<\/a> Kim as a strategist during the initial phase of Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s presidential campaign<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Democratic Party election committee meeting on Nov. 15, 2016 | Image: Democratic Party of Korea<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

A VOCAL CRITIC OF THE CHAEBOL<\/strong><\/p>\n

While Kim\u2019s role as a kingmaker, contributing to the election of presidents Park Geun-hye, Moon Jae-in and Yoon Suk-yeol, has garnered significant attention<\/a>, his most notable achievement lies in the inclusion<\/a> of \u201ceconomic democratization\u201d principles<\/a> in the South Korean Constitution.<\/p>\n

Throughout his career, Kim has consistently emphasized the necessity of implementing regulatory measures to curb the power of conglomerates, known as chaebol, and address the widening wealth gap in South Korea. His stance has reportedly earned him the ire of prominent chaebol leaders, such as Hyundai\u2019s Chung Ju-yung<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In collaboration with the then-minister of labor in 1987<\/a>, Kim successfully incorporated a clause into Article 119 (2) of the ROK Constitution, which states, \u201cThe State may regulate and coordinate economic affairs in order to maintain the balanced growth and stability of the national economy, to ensure proper distribution of income, to prevent the domination of the market and the abuse of economic power and to democratize the economy through harmony among the economic agents.\u201d<\/p>\n

During his tenure as chief presidential secretary for economic affairs, Kim introduced a policy that imposed taxes<\/a> on non-business land owned by conglomerates. This move drew intense scrutiny from conglomerate leaders and the Federation of Korean Industries.<\/p>\n

Kim\u2019s involvement in advising the economy-related policies of authoritarian leaders Park Chung-hee and Chun Doo-hwan has been a point of criticism from liberal factions.<\/p>\n

In 1977<\/a>, he proposed the introduction of a national health insurance system to Park Chung-hee. Following Park\u2019s assassination and the subsequent collapse of his regime, Kim served as an expert<\/a> member<\/a> of the National Defense Legislative Council under Chun Doo-hwan\u2019s military regime in 1980. In this role, he raised concerns about real estate speculation by conglomerates and advocated for stricter regulations.<\/p>\n

Despite the controversy surrounding his involvement<\/a> with military and authoritarian regimes, Kim maintains<\/a> that his participation in advisory roles was driven by a desire to prevent the implementation of detrimental economic policies.<\/p>\n

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Then-President Park Geun-hye shaking hands with Kim Chong-in at the National Assembly in June 2016 | Image: ROK Presidential Blue House<\/p><\/div>\n

WHY HE MATTERS NOW<\/strong><\/p>\n

Kim\u2019s assessment of the politicians he has mentored is notably candid. He once described<\/a> Park Geun-hye as the worst politician he had ever tutored, citing<\/a> her impeachment and failure to complete her term as well as her abandonment<\/a> of the economic democratization policies she had promised to implement.<\/p>\n

In South Korean politics, Kim\u2019s endorsements and strategic guidance in both general and presidential elections consistently attract significant<\/a> attention<\/a>. He is known for his willingness to quickly sever ties with politicians he considers unworthy and join new parties in a strategic capacity, irrespective of their political leanings.<\/p>\n

Lee Jun-seok, the 38-year-old former PPP, is the latest and youngest political figure to receive Kim\u2019s endorsement and support. Kim\u2019s backing could potentially help Lee\u2019s New Reform Party secure seats in the upcoming 22nd General Elections.However, the longevity of Kim\u2019s alliance with Lee remains uncertain, particularly given Lee\u2019s likely presidential ambitions. Despite both men positioning themselves as pragmatists, Lee\u2019s stance<\/a> on economic democratization policies is far from aligned with Kim\u2019s long-held convictions.<\/p>\n

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Kim Chong-in and Lee Jun-seok at New Reform Party meeting | Image: New Reform Party<\/a> (March 7, 2024)<\/p><\/div>\n

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BIO: KIM CHONG-IN (\uae40\uc885\uc778, \u91d1\u937e\u4ec1)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Age: <\/strong>83, born on July 11, 1940, during the Japanese colonial period in Gyeonggi Province<\/p>\n

Family background: <\/strong>Grandson of Kim Byeong-ro, a human rights lawyer from Jeolla Province who later became South Korea\u2019s first Supreme Court justice<\/p>\n

Education: <\/strong>Ph.D. in Economics, University of M\u00fcnster, Germany<\/p>\n

Career:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n