Kim Minseok Vows "Seamless Teamwork Without Barriers"...Top Priority on Restoring Party-Blue House Relations

Received congratulatory orchid from Chief Secretary Kang Hoon-sik as first official engagement

High-level party-government meeting scheduled for August 23 for introductory talks

Kang Hoon-sik: "I expect the Democratic Party to become even mo

Kim Minseok, the newly appointed leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, began his official schedule on August 18 with communication at the Blue House, including a meeting with Kang Hunsik, Chief Presidential Secretary. The message indicates that restoring cooperative ties between the party and the presidency is a top priority.

Entering the party leader's office together with Chief Secretary Kang, Kim stated, "It is meaningful and special to have my first official event with Chief Secretary Kang and Hong Ikpyo, Senior Presidential Secretary for Political Affairs, as we hold the orchid delivery ceremony from the president." Kim added, "I feel a sense of expectation, responsibility, and belief that communication and completion will be achieved with no barriers as a unified team between the party and the presidency."

Yonhap News Agency

Chief Secretary Kang explained, "It is customary for the Senior Secretary for Political Affairs to present an orchid to the newly elected party leader, but both during the previous and current administrations, the Chief Presidential Secretary presents a congratulatory orchid to the new party leader, recognizing the importance of the party and the administration functioning as one team." Before the meeting shifted to a closed session, Kim was also seen embracing Chief Secretary Kang, Senior Secretary Hong, and Jeong Eulho, the President’s Secretary for Political Affairs.

Kim Minseok's return to Yeouido as leader of the Democratic Party is a noteworthy development in his political career. Although he was expected to enjoy a smooth political ascendancy after being nominated as the ruling party's Seoul mayoral candidate at the age of 37 in 2002, he experienced a turbulent journey, including 18 years spent outside the political mainstream.

Kim first entered politics in 1990, working closely as an aide to former President Kim Dae-jung. In the 15th general election of 1996, he was elected at the age of 32, becoming the youngest member of the National Assembly at that time. However, his choices during the 2002 presidential election led to a prolonged period of political hardship. Kim regained prominence by joining President Lee Jaemyung’s political journey, which led to his appointment as the inaugural Prime Minister under the Lee Jaemyung administration, and now to the role of party leader.

The first major task facing Leader Kim is party unity. Given that controversies surrounding him re-emerged during the primary, he must embrace party members who did not support him and mend factional divides. The relationship between the party and the administration is also a key challenge. He must support government operations based on his close ties to President Lee, while also asserting the party’s independent voice.

The party and the presidency have agreed to hold a high-level policy meeting at 11 a.m. on August 23. Park Sungjoon, Chief Spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "As this will be the first formal meeting, no specific details have been shared about what will be discussed."

Minseok Kim, the newly appointed leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is writing in the guestbook after paying respects at the Seoul National Cemetery in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, with the new leadership team on August 18, 2026. Photo by Hyunmin Kim

On the same day, Kim attended a memorial ceremony at the Memorial Hall of the Seoul National Cemetery, marking the 17th anniversary of former President Kim Dae-jung's passing, paying tribute to his political legacy. Through a message read on behalf of President Lee Jaemyung, Chief Secretary Kang stated, "Even in the face of harsh repression by military dictatorships and during cold imprisonment and exile in foreign countries, our great teacher, former President Kim Dae-jung, thought only of the people and democracy. We offer our deepest condolences for his noble spirit." National Assembly Speaker Jo Jeong-sik remarked, "(Former President Kim’s) life itself was the very history of Korea in overcoming adversity." Kim Minseok responded, "Former President Kim is a history of respect and learning that goes beyond affection, sorrow, and remembrance. Together with the people, we will honor him in a bipartisan way and learn from his legacy beyond ideology."

Meanwhile, after visiting Seoul National Cemetery, Leader Kim proceeded with further schedules, including paying respects at the Hyochang Park Provisional Government Memorial in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and the National May 18 Democratic Cemetery in Gwangju Metropolitan City.

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