Kim Minseok Targets Yoo Simin: "False Prophecies Will Fail... No 'Stinking Rot' in Comradeship"

"Simply Another Intellectual Changing Sides"

Minseok Kim, a candidate for the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated on July 22, "In the language of comradeship and the perspective of affection, there are no words such as 'inevitable defeat' or 'stench of rot'," adding, "Empty prophecies predicting the inevitable defeat of the Lee Jaemyung administration will themselves inevitably fail again." This appears to be a rebuttal to writer Yoosimin, who the previous day said regarding the Lee Jaemyung administration, "It must be purified quickly before the stench of rot emerges."

On this day, candidate Kim wrote on social media, "Politics that distorts and manipulates the president's actual words and true intentions, having crossed the line of fair commentary, have abandoned even restraint and dignity."

Former Prime Minister Minseok Kim, who is running for the Democratic Party of Korea leadership election, is holding a press conference to announce his candidacy at the National Assembly Communication Office on July 6, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

He continued, "In the grand scheme of things, this is simply another intellectual's shift, like those of Kim Jiha, Cho Soon, or Lee Nakyeon," and added, "All the other hollow arguments will eventually disappear as well."

Candidate Kim also declared, "The Democratic Party will achieve victory on both fronts that have been created inside and outside the party," and emphasized, "We will overcome anti-Lee sentiment, factionalism, and any alliances with new cult movements, defending the president, the party, the government, and our policy agenda; and desperately keep both Honam and Yeongnam regions alive."

He went on to say, "I will treat the aggressiveness of those returning to politics, who have taken off the mask of dignified commentary, as legitimate political opinions different from those of the Democratic Party and respect them," and continued, "The Democratic Party will restore itself to what it should be, refresh its leadership, and pursue a path focused on solidarity, integration, and expansion."

He further stated, "The Democratic Party will resolve the issue of dual party membership and eliminate suspicions of phantom party members."

Kim concluded by saying, "With the sense of responsibility that does not shy away from the mud, as I have until now, I will continue to pioneer the future of the party, the government, and the nation."

On July 21, writer Yoosimin appeared on the YouTube channel '2-Min News' and sharply criticized President Lee Jaemyung, stating, "I believe that the real leader of the new Lee Jaemyung faction is likely to be President Lee Jaemyung himself, rather than figures such as Assemblywoman Lee Eonju, who is known to be pro-Lee Jaemyung." Previously, Yoosimin had sparked controversy by saying, "President Lee Jaemyung is headed down a path of inevitable failure."

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