Kim Min-seok Touts Election Record in Democratic Party Leadership Bid

Kim Min-seok, the former prime minister vying for the next leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, threw a jab at his rivals, former party leader Jung Chung-rae and lawmaker Song Young-gil, saying, "The two of them have served as party leader, but I have not yet, have I?" He then described himself as "the only person within the party who has personally directed general, presidential and local elections and led them to victory," revealing his ambition for the leadership by adding, "I will be of some use."

Kim made the remarks Tuesday on CBS Radio's "Park Sung-tae's News Show," saying, "The way I can now express my sense of responsibility is to raise issues about the party's change and create a flow that leads it forward." The election experience Kim mentioned includes the 2010 local elections (general headquarters chief), the 2024 general elections (general election situation room chief), and the 2025 presidential election (campaign committee chairman). "I am probably the only person within the party with more than 10 experiences of overseeing local, general and presidential elections," he said, expressing confidence.

Kim, who has not yet officially declared his candidacy, said of it, "I think I will be able to say something definitive soon."

He referred to the party leadership's accountability, targeting Jung, considered his biggest rival. Regarding the results of the June 3 local elections, Kim said, "The president, to the point of being unable to control his expression, went through deliberation and was the first to apologize to the people." He added, "In light of all that, I believe the party must carry out sweeping innovation." He also pointed to the party leadership that led the election, saying, "There is such a thing as the magnitude of responsibility across the party and the entire leadership," and "everyone from the person with the greatest responsibility down to those with the least must feel a sense of responsibility and innovate."

Kim noted, "What matters most is a sense of speed and comprehensive integration in neatly organizing and driving state affairs and legislation in the National Assembly," pointing out, "There is regret on that front." Regarding the party's response to the ballot paper shortage incident, he said, "The truth is, shouldn't the party have responded a little more actively?" and added, "Because the party is ultimately the center of politics, it would be good to have more of a sense of tension, speed and responsibility."

Kim said, "On one hand the party supports and follows the government, but on the other hand there are areas where it should lead the government," revealing his confidence in taking on the party leadership role by adding, "In that regard, there are areas where I can make considerable efforts."

Regarding recent opinion polls showing high support ratings for Kim as a leading candidate for party leader, he said, "I think it reflects the judgment, expectations or requests of party members, supporters and members of the public who do not belong to any party, that the party should change in the direction the president spoke of."

Of Song, a fellow pro-Lee Jae-myung leadership contender with whom a possible unification of candidacies is anticipated, Kim expressed a friendly reaction, calling him "a senior and a peer whom I like very much," and adding, "We share a wide consensus of thought on the direction the party should take."

On the claim that the government requested the party to process a second round of reform proposals in May during the pursuit of prosecution reform, Kim said, "It has already been confirmed, but it was a matter we had settled to conclude discussions early, before May." He added, "Isn't the direction the government concluded and came out with the abolition of supplementary investigation authority? Since a variety of problem awareness and solutions have accumulated, I believe the National Assembly can select and choose among them."