Kim Minseok Launches Bid for Party Leadership in Gwangju: "Leadership Change for Successful Governance and General Election Victory"

Announces Candidacy for Democratic Party Leadership at Jeonil Building 245

Stresses the Restoration of the "Winning Democratic Party"

Directly Criticizes Leadership for "Confusion and Lack of Deliberation Over the Past Year," Calls for Reform

Vows to Revive the Competent Democratic Party of the Lee Jaemyung Era to Boost Approval Ratings and Lead to General Election Victory

Former Prime Minister Kim Minseok, who is running for the leadership of the Democratic Party, officially announced his candidacy in Gwangju on July 6, declaring, "Kim Minseok is the answer for both successful governance and victory in the general election." He emphasized the need for a leadership change, pointing out that the Democratic Party has failed over the past year to connect presidential job approval ratings to party support and election results. He also insisted that "the competent Democratic Party, the strong Democratic Party, and the winning Democratic Party of the Lee Jaemyung era must be restored."

On the morning of July 6, at Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu, Gwangju, former Prime Minister Kim held a press conference and stated, "Today, I declare my candidacy for the Democratic Party leadership, based on an infinite sense of responsibility for the success of the Lee Jaemyung administration," adding, "The next party leader's mission is to support successful governance and secure victory in the general election."

Former Prime Minister Minseok Kim is greeting supporters with a raised fist at the Democratic Party leadership candidate press conference held on the 6th at Jeonil Building 245 in Dong-gu, Gwangju. Photo by Bohyun Song

Regarding his choice of Gwangju as the location for his declaration, he said, "Here in Gwangju, the sacred ground of the May 18 Democratic Uprising and the starting point of Korea's mega-change, I reflect on the words of my political mentor, President Kim Dae-jung." He went on, "Just as he said that politicians must be as thorough in their internal struggles as in their external ones, I have decided to run, prepared for intense internal debate for the sake of the party's future."

Former Prime Minister Kim expressed strong concerns about the current state of the Democratic Party.

He said, "Over the past year, the Democratic Party has failed to translate public support for the president and government into party support and election results. The pitfalls of self-serving politics have thrown the party and party-government cooperation into confusion. In addition, a lack of deliberation, procedural shortcomings, and inconsistency in matters such as the merger initiative, discussions on prosecutorial reform, nominations, and election strategies have caused many problems." He continued, "I commend the efforts of the previous leadership from a comradely perspective, but taking responsibility for the results is a basic political and party ethic. I earnestly ask you to make a resolute decision to replace the party leader with a sense of urgent tension and strict discipline."

Former Prime Minister Kim outlined his vision for party management, proposing a broad democratic coalition, party member sovereignty, prosecutorial reform, and deliberative democracy.

He said, "I will establish relationships with other parties, factions, and individuals from the perspective of grand unity and promote a comprehensive 'grand unity plan.' I intend to revive the democratic party management style of the Lee Jaemyung era to encourage deliberation and debate, and to restore fairness in the nomination system that has been undermined." He continued, "Based on my consistent advocacy for the abolition of supplementary investigative powers, I will continue to push for prosecutorial and judicial reform and also pursue a higher level of media reform. Through initiatives such as promoting an AI-driven Democratic Party, recruiting new talent, and revitalizing the Democratic Research Institute, I will build a ruling party that is worthy of the name."

Former Prime Minister Kim emphasized that his political career makes him the right person for party leadership.

He stated, "I have worked most closely with the president in shaping governance and, as prime minister, have deeply communicated on the direction of state affairs. I am the only one within the party with experience leading and winning local, general, and presidential elections." He added, "If we are not urgent and strict now, we could fall into the quagmire of defeat in the general election. I will boost the party's approval ratings and, under the right direction, unite the party, its members, and supporters to secure victory in the general election."

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