Kim Min-seok, former Prime Minister and Democratic Party leadership candidate, stated on July 7 that the party must maintain 'maximum tension' to support government operations. Speaking at a National Assembly forum on regional-led growth, Kim emphasized the need for all party members to engage in legislative and policy work at 'super speed, faster than the government' following the party convention. The statement reflects Kim's campaign focus on active legislative engagement and institutional reform as the Democratic Party prepares for its leadership election.
Kim Calls for Legislative Focus and Party-Wide Engagement
Speaking to reporters after the forum concluded, Kim stated: 'After this party convention ends, it is necessary for all our party members to take on, find, and handle legislative and policy tasks, enabling everyone to run at super speed, faster than the government.'
In his opening remarks at the forum, Kim drew on his experience as Prime Minister, saying: 'The tension, pressure, and burden I felt during cabinet meetings—sometimes thinking the President was a demanding boss—should be felt within the party.' He emphasized that party leadership sitting in the back rows of the National Assembly is not about asserting authority but about maintaining tension so all party members focus on legislative activities.
Kim added: 'If I become party leader, I hope to create an atmosphere of autonomous tension so that all members can devote themselves to legislative activities as much as government officials led by the President.'
Four Reform Areas Outlined for Democratic Party Agenda
Kim identified four reform areas the Democratic Party should pursue: judiciary, media, regional-led growth, and finance. He announced plans to prepare a series of discussions on these topics.
'Judicial reform is a traditional area of political interest, and regional reform requires significant institutional reform to realize regional-led growth—an area where all National Assembly members must really dig in and find tasks,' Kim explained.
Regarding financial sector reform, Kim pointed to the recent KOSPI surge, stating: 'After the first and second Commercial Act amendments, we must continue to reflect concerns about making detailed institutional supplements and achieving stable stock market advancement.'
Kim Responds to Criticism on Self-Politics Issue
Kim addressed criticism from former Democratic Party leader Jung Cheong-rae, who had stated that the current Prime Minister's 'party leader aspiration' remarks created unnecessary controversy as an example of 'self-politics.'
Kim responded: 'I am grateful that he responded to the issue I raised.' He noted that Jung's response, made under the premise of not engaging in negative campaigning, confirmed that self-politics is a party issue that must be resolved at the convention.
'Some members may say this is negative territory, but I think that time has passed,' Kim stated. 'Through my raising of the issue and former leader Jung's response, the question of what kind of self-politics must be overcome has emerged as one of the important themes of the party convention.'
Kim added: 'I think the time has come for party members to discuss and evaluate what kind of self-politics has brought difficulties to the Democratic Party. I give meaning to that.'
FAQ
What did Kim Min-seok say about the Democratic Party's role on July 7?
Kim Min-seok stated that the Democratic Party must maintain 'maximum tension' to support government operations, with all members engaging in legislative and policy work at 'super speed, faster than the government' after the party convention concludes.
What four reform areas did Kim propose for the Democratic Party?
Kim identified judiciary, media, regional-led growth, and finance as the four reform areas the Democratic Party should pursue, announcing plans to prepare a series of discussions on these topics.
