Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said Thursday that his criticism of former party leader Chung Cheong-rae over "self-serving politics" was not a negative campaign attack, drawing a line between political debate and negative campaigning. "I did not utter a single word of negative campaigning in my candidacy announcement," he said.
Kim made the remarks after meeting reporters following his press conference announcing his bid for party leader at the National Assembly's press center in Yeouido, Seoul, on Thursday afternoon. "I believe I did not utter a single word of negative campaigning in today's candidacy announcement," he said.
"Past leaders, including former President Kim Dae-jung, said that political debate for the sound direction of the party should not be avoided," he argued. "That is different from negative campaigning." He stressed, "The party convention is a venue to acknowledge such party debate and to conduct it transparently."
Earlier, in his candidacy announcement, Kim pointed out that "over the past year, the ills of self-serving politics have thrown the party and party-government cooperation into confusion." Although he did not mention any name, the remark was interpreted as effectively targeting Chung. When Chung indirectly expressed displeasure through social media, saying, "I will not wage negative campaigning. I will use only the language of comrades," Kim moved to rebut him directly.
"I am someone who is inherently accustomed to positive campaigning rather than negative campaigning," Kim said. "I will compete on the basis of policy and vision through four consecutive debates and Q&A sessions."
Regarding the "ills of self-serving politics" mentioned in his candidacy announcement, Kim explained, "In discussions on party mergers, prosecution reform, and the nomination process, there was a lack of debate, a lack of deliberation, and a lack of procedure." He added, "Ruling party politics must center on the success of the government's and the president's state affairs."
"Recently, internal party divisiveness, derogatory terms, fake news, and disparagement are taking root as an undesirable culture," he said. "Sorting out the negative issues raised through the Q&A sessions before candidate registration and moving toward fair and square positive competition is desirable for the party's future."
