Kim Min-seok on Choo Mi-ae's Remarks: 'People Won't Think They Came from a Senior DP Member'

Regarding some internal criticisms directed at President Lee Jae-myung, Democratic Party Representative Kim Min-seok said, "This is a time when we need to gather our strength, but it feels like we are heading toward a situation similar to the precursor when internal and external forces joined hands to try and impeach President Roh Moo-hyun just as he was settling in."

Appearing on the Democratic Party's official YouTube channel "Minjoo Party TV" today (the 14th), Representative Kim stated, "While I can understand outsiders shaking things up, there are times when I think this is a bit absurd," and made these remarks.

He added, "I think we need to pull ourselves together and gather our strength collectively right now."

These remarks came after guest Do-ol Kim Yong-ok said regarding President Lee, "I believe an individual suited for new leadership is leading our country."

Representative Kim appears to have judged that despite the need to unite under President Lee's state governance stance to overcome recent circumstances where the president's approval ratings are struggling, internal criticisms within the party targeting the president have crossed the line.

Regarding Gyeonggi Province Governor Choo Mi-ae, who poured out pointed remarks urging resolute responses against insurrection forces concerning prosecution reform, Representative Kim pointed out, "There is a high possibility that people will not think these are the remarks of a senior Democratic Party member."

Representative Kim claimed, "If people had listened to those remarks in a blind test (without knowing who made them), how would they evaluate it?" adding, "If it is said to be the remark of a responsible politician and governor of the Democratic Party, people would likely find it puzzling."

He also stated, "I think an explanation from Governor Choo herself is necessary as to why she spoke in such a manner."


Previously, Governor Choo attended the '2026 Gyeonggi-do Memorial Ceremony for Victims of the Democratization Movement' held at the Democratic Martyrs' Cemetery in Moran Park, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, on the 12th, where she stated, "The president needs to punish the insurrection forces, but why are they riding on the coattails of these forces and walking on eggshells?"

These remarks emerged amid claims that lawyer Kim Ji-yong, a former prosecutor, was nominated as a candidate for the Chief of the Serious Crime Investigation Agency and that prosecution reforms have been lackluster.

Regarding the fact that he advised Yong Hye-in, nominee for Minister of Gender Equality and Family, to voluntarily resign prior to her actual resignation the previous day, Representative Kim evaluated that "public opinion is important."

Representative Kim asked back, "While holding concurrent positions as a proportional representative (and a state council member) is not illegal, apart from whether it fits the law, there was public opinion saying 'that doesn't seem right,'" and added, "Personnel judgments are not necessarily made based on law alone, are they?"

He also remarked, "Is public sentiment not above the law?"

Regarding the issue of solidarity with progressive parties such as the Basic Income Party, he said, "We need to discuss whether to merge or form an alliance with the Rebuilding Korea Party and align our positions, but we are scheduled to form an alliance unconditionally with the Basic Income Party, the Social Democratic Party, and the Progressive Party," adding, "We will pursue progressive solidarity more actively."

Meanwhile, regarding "Minjoo Party TV" (Minty), which began its official broadcast today after finishing its pilot broadcast, Representative Kim stated, "The origins of Minty should be traced back to the broadcast President Lee did from his car on December 3, 2014 (while heading to the National Assembly to vote on lifting the emergency martial law)."

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