Kim Min-seok, meeting with winners and visiting Honam... 'Party convention in mind' speculation

Prime Minister Kim Min-seok's continuous engagement with local election winners and frequent visits to the Honam region have sparked internal party discussions, with some suggesting his activities are geared towards preparing for an upcoming party leadership convention.

Kim recently visited Saemangeum in North Jeolla Province to hold discussions with local university students about investment and government support plans. This follows a series of engagements in the Honam region, including attending forums in Gwangju and meetings in Naju and Yeosu focused on regional development and industry policies. He also attended workshops for newly elected officials in Gyeonggi and North Chungcheong provinces.

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It’s unavoidable to see it as going to Honam for the party convention.

These moves have drawn criticism from within his own party. Supreme Council member Moon Jeong-bok pointed out that the Prime Minister's attendance at elected officials' workshops and photo opportunities was not an urgent state affair, especially while the president is abroad. A re-elected lawmaker commented, "It's unavoidable to see it as going to Honam for the party convention." The lawmaker added that such a schedule is inappropriate for the Prime Minister, who is managing state affairs during the president's absence.

Kim, who has reportedly already expressed his intention to resign and run for party leadership, is expected to step down after attending the Summer Davos Forum in China from June 22-24. Meanwhile, Democratic Party leader Jeong Cheong-rae is also making consecutive visits to the Honam region, which accounts for 30% of the party's active members, fueling speculation that he is also campaigning for support ahead of the party convention.

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Even though the president is on an overseas trip, the person in charge of state affairs is attending elected officials' workshops for two consecutive days and taking pictures; it is not an urgent task.