Despite Voting Rights Controversy and Middle East Crisis, Prime Minister Kim Attends Ruling Party's Honam Workshop

Commentator: "Actions Overshadowing President's G7 Tour Achievements... Sitting Prime Minister Should Exercise Restraint"

Prime Minister Kim Minseok, who is eyeing a bid for the next ruling party leadership, is continuing an active schedule in the Honam region. However, controversy is growing over his political activities as prime minister, especially since he is responsible for domestic affairs in the absence of President Lee Jaemyung, who is on an overseas tour amid critical developments in the US-Iran peace negotiations, as well as ongoing fallout from the blockade protest at the Jamsil ballot counting station in Seoul.

Prime Minister Minseok Kim and Democratic Party lawmaker Youngkil Song, who are expected to run for the next party leadership of the Democratic Party, are greeting each other at the 9th Nationwide Simultaneous Local Elections Democratic Party Jeonnam Gwangju Integrated Metropolitan City Councilors-Elect Workshop held at Davichi Condo in Boseong County, Jeonnam, on the afternoon of June 16, 2026. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

According to the Office of the Prime Minister on June 17, Prime Minister Kim attended a workshop for Democratic Party of Korea Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Councilor-Elects held in Boseong, Jeollanam-do the previous afternoon. Song Younggil, a Democratic Party lawmaker who is regarded as an 'allied supporter' in the upcoming party leadership race, was also in attendance. On the morning of June 17, Prime Minister Kim is scheduled to visit an offshore wind power exhibition in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do, and in the afternoon, attend the completion ceremony of the POSCO steel mill in Gwangyang. On June 18, he will give a lecture at Mokpo National University in Muan. While President Lee is away on a European tour for the Group of Seven (G7) summit, the prime minister is staying in the Honam region for three days and two nights.

Given that Prime Minister Kim is widely expected to run for party leadership, many view his activities as a de facto campaign. Honam is a key battleground in the party leadership contest, with 30 percent of Democratic Party members residing there. As the government has shifted to an 'emergency economy' mode following the Middle East conflict and the aftermath of the recent voting rights infringement incident is still ongoing, there are increasing criticisms that Prime Minister Kim's political activities are excessive for someone still in office.

Political commentator Kim Sangil stated, "Prime Minister Kim's actions do not support the president's diplomatic achievements; rather, they overshadow them." He added, "As the sitting prime minister, he should refrain from actions that could cause controversy. When in public office, one must first demonstrate a sense of responsibility and refrain from pursuing personal interests."

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