▲ Former Prime Minister Kim Min-seok delivers his farewell address at the Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on July 1.
Immediately upon returning to Yeouido after stepping down as Prime Minister, Kim Min-seok launched a direct attack on his rival for the party leadership, former Chairman Jung Chung-rae, stating, "It is difficult to find any necessity or reason for him to serve a second term as party leader in the way he has done so far."
In a video released today (July 1) by the YouTube channel OhmyTV, Kim said, "Now is the time for leadership with a different color, competence, style, and strengths compared to former Chairman Jung Chung-rae."
Kim noted, "We are facing our first difficulties since the launch of the administration due to by-elections and local elections," adding, "The scope of the party's role and the magnitude of its tasks have become broader, larger, and stronger. Now is the time for the party to act more decisively."
He continued, "I have my own thoughts on how the party should proceed and what it should do, and I want to reflect those as much as possible," emphasizing, "I believe the Lee Jae-myung administration is opening the first chapter of a golden age in South Korean history, and I must do everything I can to make that a reality."
Regarding the so-called reconstruction theory proposed by writer Rhyu Si-min, a prominent commentator in the pan-ruling camp, Kim stressed, "I believe that approach would make it impossible for democratic forces to manage state affairs, succeed in governance, win general elections, or maintain power, so I cannot concede or compromise. That aligns with the Lee Jae-myung administration's direction for state affairs."
He further stated, "We must embrace rational reform, progressives, conservatives, and moderates. There is no other choice," adding, "I am someone who believes we must make efforts to make the party more inclusive. I have different thoughts from writer Rhyu and former Chairman Jung. I believe they are wrong."
When asked about Rhyu's criticism that the President's stance on inclusiveness and integration might be "excessive confidence," Kim added, "Attempting to be a president for everyone is not excessive confidence, but a natural duty. Even if a president is elected with the support of a specific class or party, it is a natural duty to strive to create the best possible outcomes for everyone in principle."
Regarding the merger with the Rebuilding Korea Party, which was proposed by former Chairman Jung early this year but fell through due to internal opposition, Kim criticized Jung, saying, "I believe the way the issue was raised and the process of resolving it were flawed, which led to the failure."
He suggested, "I believe we must integrate with the same forces and form alliances with those who are different; integration, alliance, and expansion are essential," adding, "On the question of whether to integrate or form an alliance, it would be better for the Rebuilding Korea Party to make a clear judgment and express its position."
He continued, "If they say they will pursue progressive politics with a different platform or identity from the Democratic Party, then we can organize an alliance and unify candidates where necessary. If not, then we proceed with integration."
On the method of integration with the Rebuilding Korea Party, he stated, "Given the reality of politics, the Democratic Party is the party responsible for state affairs, a massive party incomparable in scale, and the representative party with historical significance," adding, "If we are to join forces, it would effectively require a legal merger by absorption."
In addition, regarding issues for the August 17 national convention, he said, "I don't think there are that many contentious points," and reiterated his support for "party member sovereignty," which centers on the abolition of supplementary investigation rights and a one-vote-per-member system for party members.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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