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Democratic Party hopeful Kim Min-seok vows to defend president from 'unfair attacks'
🇰🇷 South Korea /Elections & Politics

Democratic Party hopeful Kim Min-seok vows to defend president from 'unfair attacks'

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Kim Min-seok, a candidate for the Democratic Party leadership, pledged to protect President Lee from unfair attacks.
  • He vowed to firmly criticize anyone, including opposition parties or internal factions, who baselessy attacks the president or government.
  • Kim also addressed issues within the party, such as election management errors and the need to resolve dual party memberships and inactive members.

Kim Min-seok, a leading contender for the Democratic Party's leadership and a figure aligned with former party leader Lee Jae-myung, has declared his intention to shield President Lee from what he terms "unfair attacks." Speaking at a party members' meeting in Cheongju on July 27th, Kim stated his commitment to addressing and correcting any falsehoods that could lead to the president being unjustly targeted.

I will ensure that the president is not unfairly attacked for things that are wrong.

— Kim Min-seokStating his commitment to defending President Lee from baseless criticism during a party members' meeting.

Kim asserted that he would "firmly criticize" any baseless accusations leveled against the president and the government, regardless of whether they originate from opposition parties or internal progressive factions. He emphasized the need for the party to be technically flawless in managing elections, referencing a system error that prevented some members in the Chungcheong region from voting in the ongoing leadership race. "Our party is too naive," he remarked, stressing that election management must be "technically perfect."

Further sharpening his tone, Kim Min-seok directed criticism at his rival, former party leader Chung Jin-suk, questioning his ability to manage alliances and unified candidacies, citing past electoral setbacks in Busan and Pyeongtaek. Kim advocated for a clearer approach to political maneuvering, suggesting a strategy of "pushing what's mine, giving up what I should, and doing it cleanly."

If anyone, whether from the opposition or within the progressive democratic forces, criticizes without basis, I will firmly criticize them.

— Kim Min-seokEmphasizing his stance against unfounded attacks on the president and government.

Addressing internal party dynamics, Kim Min-seok also challenged the notion that President Lee lacks reformist credentials, defending the president's commitment. He warned that the Democratic Party risks becoming an "old-fashioned party" if it fails to adapt, pointing to a potential lack of support from younger generations. Kim proposed a 30-day deadline to resolve issues of dual party membership and inactive memberships, acknowledging that the party leadership has begun to recognize these problems. He expressed a desire to work with Kim Yong, a close associate of President Lee and a candidate for the Supreme Council, who Kim Min-seok believes has faced significant injustices.

Our party is too naive. Regardless of who benefits or loses, election management must be technically perfect first.

— Kim Min-seokCommenting on a system error that disrupted voting in the Chungcheong region during the party's leadership election.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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