Kim Min-seok: "Forces Attempting Impeachment Have Failed"... Dismisses Cho Kuk's Criticism as "Shake-up Disguised as Concern"

▲ Democratic Party Chairman Kim Min-seok

Democratic Party Chairman Kim Min-seok on today (September 15) dismissed criticisms regarding his remarks that the current situation bears resemblance to the prelude to the impeachment of the late President Roh Moo-hyun as "useless, meaningless, and excessive worry, and a shake-up disguised as concern."

Appearing on "Minti 07," the official YouTube channel of the Democratic Party ("Democratic Party TV"), Chairman Kim stated, "People were talking about why I brought up an elephant just by telling them not to think of an elephant, but when someone points to the sky, you should look at the sky, not the finger."

This was aimed at Rebuilding Korea Party Innovation Research Institute Director Cho Kuk, who had criticized Kim's remarks on impeachment the previous day by saying, "The notion of impeaching Lee Jae-myung is being circulated. Does he not know 'Don't Think of an Elephant'?"

The previous day, Chairman Kim had pointed out regarding criticisms of President Lee Jae-myung from some parts of the progressive camp, "It is a situation similar to the prelude when internal and external forces joined forces to attempt impeachment at a time when President Roh Moo-hyun should have settled in."

On the broadcast, Chairman Kim explained, "The lesson is not that impeachment has meaning, but that the forces that made useless attempts at impeachment have failed. I was saying that if there are any forces inside that harbor even a tiny bit of such thoughts or ideas to shake things up, they will fail."

Emphasizing that "there is a zero percent chance the government will be shaken to the extent that a child of a child of a child, or a baby of a baby of a baby of impeachment would emerge," Kim stressed, "The President has four years left in office, and the direction of state affairs is set."

He added, "Approval ratings are simply experiencing a temporary adjustment due to election results caused by confusion between the party and the presidential office. We are confirming that the demand to move toward livelihood, pragmatism, and expansion is overwhelmingly high."

At the same time, he pointed out, "The essence is that I did not shake this government. Those who express such concerns and make such remarks engage in excessive criticism and irrational blame, and rather than focusing on the core, they shake the base of supporters."

Chairman Kim emphasized, "Miscalculations aimed at shaking the internal front with vain expectations are intertwined. Essentially, this is a time to pull ourselves together, move forward through innovation and reflection, and gather our strength."

Referring to press reports stating that he even "brought up impeachment," he raised his voice and said, "Brought up what? I told them not to shake things up because they are talking nonsense. Did I provide an excuse and shake the President? Aren't there separate people who shook the President and the state affairs of the government?"

He continued, "I believe those who have genuine concerns will not fixate on that word (impeachment), but will tighten their grip thinking, 'They are shaking things up that much.' To those who might have the thought of shaking the internal front on this occasion, I simply hope they do well."

(Photo: Yonhap News)

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