Kim Boo-kyum: "Lee Jae-myung Should Show Flexibility to Address Issues and Provide Support"

After the General Election, Stepping Forward to Express Position in Front of Public Opinion

Former Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum advised Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 26th to "show some flexibility and leadership in politics that delivers results, whether it be policies or laws that create livelihoods and the future of the Republic of Korea."

Appearing on CBS Radio that day, former Prime Minister Kim said, "I do not think that Lee receiving nearly 90% support will greatly move the public. Rather, the fact that Lee achieved such votes despite various difficulties seems to indicate that there are expectations for him," offering this advice.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

In addition to flexibility that can deliver results, he said the high support from the public also reflects "a desire for someone to take the lead in checking the unilateralism and one-man rule of the Yoon Seok-youl administration."

However, regarding Lee’s overwhelming victory in the party leadership election, he said, "It showed a somewhat different picture from the public’s expectations," adding, "Even figures like Kim Dae-jung and Kim Young-sam became party leaders with an average support rate of 60% to 70%. They acknowledged the role of non-mainstream factions and managed the party accordingly."

Former Prime Minister Kim told Lee, "Simply becoming party leader cannot be seen as a great achievement for you," and said, "If you want to become president and a national leader, from now on you should show flexible leadership by saying, ‘I will share responsibility. If the government and ruling party fail to perform properly, I will hold them accountable at the National Assembly level, raise issues, establish necessary measures, and provide support where needed.’ Showing such flexible leadership would actually help when you run in the next presidential election."

He also expressed concern about frequent mentions of impeachment within the Democratic Party. Former Prime Minister Kim said, "Is it acceptable for the Democratic Party to be criticized for bringing up impeachment whenever something displeases them? Impeachment is a serious measure taken only when something truly malfunctions, but if it is used routinely, how can the party operate afterward?" He added, "From the public’s perspective, even the parties involved probably wouldn’t feel much pain."

Regarding the party’s hardline supporters, he appealed for respect for diverse voices within the party. He said, "Unity is good, but the greatest vitality of democracy is diversity," and added, "Voices of minorities and those with different opinions must be respected for the value of democracy to be maintained and strengthened. In that sense, there must be people within the party who think differently." However, he added, "If they deny the very philosophy of the Democratic Party, then those people should leave the party."

Former Prime Minister Kim, who had maintained a quiet stance since the general election, also expressed his intention to speak out more actively. He said, "I don’t have any special plans," but introduced, "There have been criticisms that in politics, which is always about fighting, someone should speak up. So I thought I should take on roles where I can."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.