"The June 3 local elections were a bit messy, and if we make a mistake, will we continue to be in the opposition? I'm anxious"...Zheng Do's veiled criticism
"We need to create a winning Democratic Party again... The president and the government must not waver"
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok attending a special lecture at the Kim Dae-jung School of Politics
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok is attending a special lecture for the 'Youth Leadership Workshop' hosted by the Kim Dae-jung School of Politics at the Gwangju Kim Dae-jung Convention Center on June 26. 2026.6.26 utzza@yna.co.kr
Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said on the 27th, "There are cases where the president is criticized with excessive self-confidence, as if saying 'I made such a president.' I think it's necessary to moderate their attitude and mindset." This was in relation to the escalating factional conflict within the party ahead of the August convention.
Kim Min-seok met with reporters at a workshop for female elected officials of the Democratic Party of Korea held in Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi Province on this day and said, "It's understandable that there are conflicts before an election. It seems to be a phenomenon caused by disappointment over the election results."
Kim Min-seok's remarks appear to be aimed at author Yoo Si-min, a conservative commentator who said the previous day, "Those who enthusiastically supported and cheered for President Lee during his presidential campaign wanted an expansion, but the president seems to have tried to rebuild. Wasn't the president's self-confidence excessive?"
At the workshop, he expressed concern about the June 3 local election results, saying, "The results were a bit messy." He added, "If we miss the central region, it will be difficult to win in the future. I am worried that if we make a mistake, we will continue to be in the opposition."
"The president and the government must not waver," he emphasized, adding, "I want to create a winning Democratic Party again."
To achieve this goal, he proposed three tasks: "First, we need to protect the president's leadership. Second, we must adhere to the line of people's livelihood, practicality, and rational reform. Third, we must succeed through addition."
Kim Min-seok said, "I will step down as prime minister in a few days," and added, "I thought it was time for me to return to the party after working hard for the government for a year."
"Let's work together with our comrades here to establish the party's direction and expand it further to create a winning Democratic Party again. I hope that when we meet again in 20 or 30 years, we will be able to say that the history we created together opened a new golden age for the Democratic Party," he proposed.
When asked about his possibility of running for the August convention, Kim Min-seok said, "I will let you know when necessary after I return to the party."
water@yna.co.kr
