Prime Minister Kim Min-seok declined to give a direct answer on Jan. 9 when asked about a potential bid for the Democratic Party of Korea's next leadership position, saying only that he is "focused on state affairs."
Kim made the remarks during a parliamentary interpellation session on politics, diplomacy, unification and security at the National Assembly. When Rep. Yoon Hu-deok of the Democratic Party asked whether he would "remain an ordinary party member at the party convention in August this year," Kim appeared momentarily flustered before giving his response.
When Yoon pressed further, asking "Do you have some kind of dream in your heart?" Kim paused again before repeating that he is "focused on state affairs."
On questions about a potential Seoul mayoral bid, Kim was more definitive. "I have already said I will not run. I have repeatedly stated that I am currently focused on state affairs," he said.
At a New Year's press conference on Jan. 2, Kim had acknowledged that "as someone who has been in politics, both the Seoul mayorship and the party leadership have been dreams of mine." However, he noted that "the moment I became prime minister, I determined that the Seoul mayorship would be difficult." Regarding the party leadership bid, he said only that he would "focus on state affairs."