▲ Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok speaks during a high-level party-government consultation meeting held at the Prime Minister's Seoul Official Residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 13th.
Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok addressed internal party criticisms directed at President Lee Jae-myung today (the 14th), stating, "At a time when we need to pool our strengths, it feels like we are heading toward a situation similar to the precursors when internal and external forces joined hands to try and impeach President Roh Moo-hyun when he should have been settling in."
Appearing on the Democratic Party's official YouTube channel "Minjoo Party TV," leader Kim made the remarks, saying, "I can understand outsiders shaking things up, but there are times when I find this quite absurd."
He added, "I feel that we need to pull ourselves together and pool our strengths all the more right now."
These remarks came after guest Do-ol Kim Yong-ok said regarding President Lee, "I believe a figure suited for a new leadership is leading our country."
Leader Kim appears to have concluded that despite the need to unite under the president's state governance vision to overcome the recent situation where President Lee's approval ratings are struggling, some internal party criticisms directed at the president have crossed the line.
Leader Kim also targeted Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who poured out sharp remarks urging a resolute response against insurrectionist forces regarding prosecution reform, pointing out, "There is a high possibility that people will not think of this as a remark from a senior Democratic Party member."
Leader Kim argued, "If people had listened to those remarks in a blind test (without knowing who spoke), how would they evaluate them? If it is a remark by a responsible politician and governor of the Democratic Party, people would likely find it puzzling."
He also added, "It seems that Governor Choo herself needs to explain why she made those remarks."
Previously, Governor Choo attended the "2026 Gyeonggi Province Memorial Service for Victims of the Democratization Movement" held at the Moran Park Democratic Martyrs' Cemetery in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province, on the 12th, where she stated, "The president should punish the insurrectionist forces, why are they riding on the back of these forces and walking on eggshells?"
The remarks came as Kim Ji-yong, a former prosecutor, was nominated as the candidate for the head of the Medium and Large Crime Investigation Agency, with claims that prosecution reform was insufficient.
Regarding the fact that he advised former Gender Equality and Family Minister nominee Yong Hye-in to voluntarily resign prior to her resignation the previous day, leader Kim evaluated that "the public's opinion is important."
Leader Kim asked back, "While holding the concurrent positions of proportional representative lawmaker (and state council member) is not illegal, apart from whether it fits the law, there was public opinion saying 'that doesn't seem right.' Isn't personnel judgment made based on more than just the law?"
He also stated, "Isn't the public sentiment above the law?"
Regarding the issue of solidarity with progressive political parties such as the Basic Income Party, he said, "We need to discuss whether to merge or ally with the Rebuilding Korea Party and align our positions, but solidarity with the Basic Income Party, Social Democratic Party, and Progressive Party is set to happen unconditionally," adding, "We will pursue progressive solidarity more actively."
Meanwhile, regarding "Minjoo Party TV" (Minty), which officially started broadcasting today after completing its pilot broadcast, leader Kim revealed, "The origins of Minty can be found in the broadcast President Lee did from his car on December 3 (2014) (while heading to the National Assembly for the martial law lifting vote during the emergency martial law)."
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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