Kim Boo-kyum meets newly elected governors, urges party renewal

Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum convened an unusual luncheon with nine newly elected provincial governors affiliated with the Democratic Party, signaling a push for party renewal following significant election defeats. The meeting, held at the prime minister's official residence, focused on explaining the government's "National Land Transformation Project."

The gathering included governors from Incheon, Jeonnam/Gwangju, Daejeon, Ulsan, Gyeonggi, Sejong, Chungbuk, Jeonbuk, and Jeju. Notably, governors from the opposing People Power Party, including those from Seoul and Daegu, were invited but did not attend. This separate meeting between the prime minister and provincial leaders shortly after local elections is considered a rare occurrence.

Kim Boo-kyum had previously attended a workshop for Democratic Party winners in Cheongju, Chungbuk, where he stated that the party needed to enter a period of "tension and innovation." He and Song Young-gil, a party lawmaker, are also expected to attend a workshop for integrated special city council members in Jeonnam/Gwangju. Song is also scheduled to visit former President Moon Jae-in and his wife in Gyeongsangnam-do.

Meanwhile, Kim Yong-min, the Democratic Party's chief whip for the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, acknowledged that he is "considering" a run for party leadership. The party faces pressure to address accountability for its losses in the June 3 local elections, with current party leader Song Young-gil also facing calls to resign and refrain from seeking re-election.

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(The Democratic Party) needs to enter a time of tension and innovation.