Kim Min-seok launches leadership bid, directly attacking Jeong Cheong-rae

Kim Min-seok, former Prime Minister, officially declared his bid for the Democratic Party's leadership on August 17. He directly criticized fellow candidate Jeong Cheong-rae, stating that "the pitfalls of personal politics over the past year have thrown the party and party-government cooperation into disarray." Kim emphasized the need to "sort things out one by one, step by step."

“

the pitfalls of personal politics over the past year have thrown the party and party-government cooperation into disarray. One by one, step by step, we must sort things out.

Kim's announcement comes just six days after he resigned from his position as Prime Minister and returned to the party. He is the first among the declared leadership contenders to formally announce his candidacy. Kim stated his intention to run for party leader out of a "boundless sense of responsibility for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration."

“

I declare my candidacy for the Democratic Party leadership today out of a boundless sense of responsibility for the success of the Lee Jae-myung administration.

During his press conference, Kim repeatedly targeted Jeong, asserting that the Democratic Party failed to translate public support for the administration into party support and election results over the past year. He warned that "at this rate, achieving national success, winning the general election, and uniting the party will be difficult."

“

The Democratic Party, over the past year, has failed to connect public support for the president and government with party support and election results.

With Jeong Cheong-rae and Song Young-gil also expected to decide on their candidacies this week, the race for party leadership is intensifying. Kim's early declaration and pointed remarks signal a potentially contentious leadership battle ahead.

“

At this rate, achieving national success, winning the general election, and uniting the party will be difficult.