Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok explained today (the 10th) regarding the list of potential candidates for the upcoming Seoul mayoral race written in his notepad, stating, "They are simply names of newly discussed figures and people who have spoken to me, which I just jotted down."

Appearing today on "Minti 07," the party's official YouTube channel "Democratic Party TV," Kim made the remarks, saying, "I wrote them down in the process of considering what kind of image or strengths would make an optimal candidate."

Previously, press cameras captured Kim at the National Assembly plenary chamber the day before looking at a notepad that featured names such as "Chung-rae" under the heading of "Seoul Mayor Candidate."

While the names of other individuals were difficult to identify clearly, political circles speculated that the notes might read "Hoon-shik," "Won-shik," and "MJ."

Confirming this, Kim explained, "Hoon-shik refers to Chief of Staff to the President Kang Hoon-shik, Won-shik refers to former National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, and Chung-rae refers to former party leader Jung Chung-rae," adding, "The name written afterward is Hyun-jong, referring to former Trade Minister Kim Hyun-jong."

He then noted, "I don't think it was seen (by the press), but Seoul National University Professor Kim Kyung-min and former lawmaker Kim Jin-ae are also here."

Regarding former lawmaker Jung Chung-rae expressing displeasure the previous day over the exposure of the notepad containing his name—suggesting that "Min-seok and Young-gil," who had lost past Seoul mayoral elections, should also be written down—Kim said, "My name is on there too," adding, "The part that says 'MS' is my name."

He added, "It does not mean I intend to run. I wrote it down while analyzing what kind of traits a candidate must have to appeal to Seoul (citizens) and serve as a sure-win card," noting, "I thought of it by myself."

Regarding figures known to have intentions of running for the Seoul mayoral election but who were omitted from the notepad list, he said, "Figures like Jung Won-oh, Park Joo-min, Seo Young-kyo, Chun Hyun-hee, and Park Hong-geun, who ran in the last (Seoul mayoral primary), are naturally the basic candidate pool already presumed."

Regarding the entire list in his notepad, Kim said, "What I am sorry about is that I have not sounded out any of them on their intentions," adding, "I am sorry that it was caught (on camera)." He continued, "I hope people will understand, as Chief of Staff Kang is working hard, and former Speaker Woo, who has finished his term as speaker and is probably not even thinking about it, is being talked about by those around him."

Regarding "Lee Jin-sook and Han Dong-hoon OUT," which was also written in the notepad, Kim explained, "There is the May 18 controversy, and while the People Power Party claims to succeed former President Kim Young-sam, we are pursuing the expulsion or at least the suspension of qualifications for lawmaker Lee Jin-sook, who denies it."

He pointed out, "Although lawmaker Han Dong-hoon stepped up as an attacker during the confirmation hearing for Minister of Justice nominee Kim Seung-won, it became the Han Dong-hoon incident," adding, "The Vice Minister of Justice also confirmed that the materials brought out by lawmaker Han were internal documents. In a situation where there is a conviction beyond reasonable suspicion of a legal violation, he lacks the qualifications to be a lawmaker."

(Photo: Yonhap News)