Kim Min-seok: "Deeply Considering Yong Hye-in Controversy... Must Be Cautious of Remarks Hindering Solidarity with Rebuilding Korea Party"

Democratic Party Leader Kim Min-seok remarked regarding the controversy surrounding Minister of Gender Equality and Family nominee Yong Hye-in—who faces criticism over maintaining her proportional representation seat—that he is "listening to many concerns and criticisms and thinking deeply about them."

Appearing today (September 3) on "Minty 07," the official YouTube channel of the Democratic Party, Leader Kim stated, "We are in a position of listening to various opinions and watching closely."

Kim evaluated, "In confirmation hearings, hidden corruption usually emerges to become an issue, but the issue this time is a matter of judgment regarding facts that were already apparent even without a hearing," adding, "It seems different from ordinary cases."

He added, "The public's various voices and judgments on this matter deserve to be respected in themselves and warrant reflection."

This can also be interpreted as an intention to observe and decide whether to continue shielding nominee Yong, as the controversies and criticisms raised against her increase the burden on the ruling camp.

Leader Kim also shared his views on the recent growing conflict with the Rebuilding Korea Party.

The rift between the two parties has deepened due to remarks by Cho Kuk, director of the Innovation Policy Institute at the Rebuilding Korea Party, regarding the dismissal of President Lee Jae-myung's indictment, as well as the appointment of former lawmaker Kim Yong-nam—who competed against Director Cho in the June 3 by-elections for the National Assembly—as senior deputy chair of the Democratic Party's Policy Committee.

The situation even escalated into a "truth game," with the Rebuilding Korea Party denying the Democratic Party's claims that discussions on solidarity and integration had begun.

Seemingly bearing Director Cho's remarks on the dismissal of the indictment in mind, Leader Kim pointed out, "It would be better to be careful with remarks that hinder solidarity."

He went on to emphasize, "We told people within our party that 'we have opened a channel toward the Rebuilding Korea Party, so let's start a dialogue.' Both merger and solidarity are on the table, but while solidarity is unconditional, the possibility of a merger remains completely undecided."

He also addressed comments made yesterday when Representative Park Bum-kye, head of the party's grand integration promotion task force, stated in a media interview that Representative Lee Hae-shik, head of the task force's Rebuilding Korea Party subcommittee, was holding working-level talks with Rebuilding Korea Party Secretary-General Jung Chun-saeng—talks that Secretary-General Jung subsequently denied.

Leader Kim conveyed, "Representative Park himself will discuss the part he was slightly misinformed about with Representative Lee."

Minister of Economy and Finance Park Hong-geun, who appeared alongside him, also commented on the Rebuilding Korea Party issue, saying, "The Democratic Party and the Rebuilding Korea Party share the same roots," and adding, "In a way, the Rebuilding Korea Party is a friendly force, and I have some regrets wondering how it would be if they played a role in filling what is lacking."

Meanwhile, Leader Kim announced that a task force named the "One-Line Letter Committee" will be established directly under the Public Relations Committee to oversee the production of the party's banners.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.