Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok has begun his push for the next party leadership in earnest, about a month ahead of the Democratic Party of Korea's Aug. 17 national convention. While assembling a convention camp centered on lawmakers loyal to President Lee Jae-myung, he took a jab at rival and former leader Jung Chung-rae, saying, "This is a time when different leadership is needed."
On the 1st, Kim visited the Democratic Party's central headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, and the National Assembly in succession to greet colleagues on his return to the party. He wrapped up his first day back with a dinner with the party's standing advisory group.
At a farewell ceremony held that morning at the Government Complex Seoul, Kim said, "I will run with a greater sense of mission in a new chapter to support the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration's governance and to open a new era," adding, "I will continue to work on remaining tasks such as improving young people's lives and driving region-led growth in the party and the National Assembly."
In political circles, observers say Kim's declaration of his candidacy for party leader is imminent. Meeting reporters at the National Assembly that day, he avoided a direct answer on the timing of his candidacy announcement, but targeting his leading rival, former leader Jung, he said, "Is there really a need to do it twice in the same way it's been done until now?" This is interpreted as revealing his intent to enter the leadership race with leadership differentiated from Jung, who appeals to the hardline support base with proposals such as abolishing the prosecution's supplementary investigation rights and a one-member, one-vote system.
Kim's choice to visit the SK hynix semiconductor plant in Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province, on the 2nd as his first official external engagement is also a move to highlight his focus on livelihood and the economy. It is read as an intent to keep pace with the Lee Jae-myung administration, which is pursuing the creation of a semiconductor cluster in the southwestern region, and to broaden the base for retaining power through expanding the party's reach. In an OhmyNews interview released on the 30th of last month, he also stressed regarding the ruling party's role that "we must embrace not only reasonable reform forces but also progressives, conservatives, and centrists alike."
The formation of his camp is also gaining momentum. Kim's side is scouting for a campaign office in the Yeouido area. Rep. Yeom Tae-young, a three-term lawmaker and former mayor of Suwon, will head the general situation room, while first-term Rep. Lee Yong-woo will handle media communications. Reps. Yoon Jong-gun and Kim Tae-seon are also said to be joining.
Regarding the camp's formation, Kim said, "The camp has not yet been formally established, and we are considering various measures centered on the people and party members."
